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YOU CANNOT WRITE FOR EVERYONE

If you sit down in a pizza place and order sushi, neither you nor the manager will be happy. The manager hasn't served your needs, and you stay hungry. . . unless you decide to settle for pizza. But what are the odds that your craving for sushi will be satisfied with pepperoni and cheese?

Switch that scenario to writing.

You flip into a magazine site on Southern gardens, hoping to to sell a piece about rural Montana. The editor loses precious minutes they can never get back by simply opening the email, and all but throws the proposal against the wall. You, however, hope that this editor might know another editor who could use the piece. In reality, odds are you alienated that editor abusing their time.

You write a book on primary school-aged child development then pitch it to a press that handles purely fiction. The editor has lost precious time in their day by opening your proposal. You were refused (assuming you received an answer at all). The editor is thinking "What the heck was that author thinking?" The author is thinking "Maybe they know somebody who wants my book. After all, it's for children."

First of all, stop it. Do not submit to any publication, agent, or publisher without feeling soundly that your work is a perfect fit. No maybe, no possibly. . . no question. It does or it doesn't fit.

Secondly, do not expect everyone who reads to review your story. I read mystery. If I agree to review a non-mystery book, I sacrifice time away from reading what I enjoy. I take time away from reading what I read to make my mystery writing better. Do I occasionally find a good book that isn't a mystery? Sure. But out of the 40 books a year I read, maybe five fall outside of mystery. Do you want to play those odds or seek someone who regularly reads your genre?

Additionally, sell to your market. The odds are greater for sales when presenting your genre or style to those who read it, rather than trying to entice someone else who doesn't. Look at all that wasted energy. 

Your goal is to have a brand. When your name comes up, people's minds instantly relate. When you try to be everyone's brand, there's nothing special to remember. 

Your writing has to fill "a" need. There's no way your writing can fill "all" needs. 

SUPER SPONSOR 

The 30th annual Missouri Review Jeffrey E. Smith Editors' Prize is open for submissions!

The prize awards $5,000 and publication to prize-winners in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. All entrants are considered for publication and are guaranteed with their entry fee a 1-year digital subscription to the Missouri Review along with a free digital copy of the new collection of short stories from TMR contributors, Strange Encounters.

Deadline: October 1.

Learn more, and enter here: 
https://www.missourireview. com/contests/jeffrey-e-smith-editors-prize/.

 

HOPE'S APPEARANCES

 
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SUccess Story

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

Write Your Stress Away

By Rachel Carrington

Most writers have something we do to relieve stress. For some, it might be dancing or singing, while, for others, it's something much more low-key like crossword puzzles or video games. And while it's certainly great for writers to take some time away from the keyboard to release the tension, it's even better when we can turn our stress-relieving choices into money with writing opportunities by making them personal.

For example, I enjoy crossword puzzles and often work on them in the evenings to relax. I used to work them with a friend long-distance via video chat until she passed away. I could have written an article about my love of crosswords and attempted to sell it to a hobby magazine, but what could I say about them that hasn’t already been said? Instead, I created a story about why they (and her friendship) meant so much to me and sold that to the New York Times. 

Whatever you use to relieve stress, you can also use it to improve your income if you tie it into a story. And everything we do has its own story. That’s the first thing you ask yourself when you’re writing about your stress-reliever. What’s the story? 

Very few people pick up a hobby or decide to do something on a whim. It’s something they’ve been thinking about, a commercial appealed to them, or a friend encouraged them to try it. So that’s your angle. You have to determine the story that accompanies the reason you play video games or why you garden. Add in a human-interest angle, and you have a story waiting to be sold. 

Finding the hook

For example, if you use yoga (or any other type of exercise) as your favorite anxiety-reducer, how did you feel the first time you did it? Were you alone? Did you enjoy it right away, or did you have to try it a few more times? Was it a struggle to get in those yoga pants? Did you feel self-conscious in a room full of others who had already mastered the moves? All of these questions open up the potential for stories.

Creating the story

Remember that stories, unlike articles, have to pack a punch. With articles, you’re teaching, imparting knowledge in a clear, concise manner with little or no emotion. With these types of stories, you’re trying to elicit emotions, whether it’s humor, sadness, or even fear. So when you’re writing about gardening, you might want to focus on the plant you’ve had for ten years that you’re desperately trying to save. 

Adding the human touch

These stories are ultimately about you. So you need to be embedded within them, but it has to be more than just why singing makes you happy or how you like to sweat. You want to engage the audience in this snapshot of your life. You’re opening a window they can peek inside, and you want them to see the beautifully decorated living room and not just a painted wall. 

So ask yourself why this particular moment you’re writing about is important. How did it affect your life? Did it make you realize how it’s okay not to be perfect? Did it show you that you need to hold onto the memories as you’re making them? 

Whatever you choose to utilize to help you relieve daily stress, you have a goldmine of stories to pull from the activity. Write them to inspire, to entertain, or encourage, and you’ll find there are people waiting to read them. 

BIO:
As well as being a published author of fiction, Rachel Carrington is also a nonfiction writer and has written for The Writer, The Writers' Journal, Rooted in Rights, Startrek.com, and the New York Times (essay due for publication in late 2020) as well as many others. She is also a writing instructor at Women on Writing and a contributor to Hidden Remote. rachelcarrington.com.

 

COmpetitions

TOI DERRICOTTE AND CORNELIUS EADY CHAPBOOK
https://cavecanempoets.org/prizes/toi-derricotte-cornelius-eady-chapbook-prize/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 15, 2020. Winner receives $500, publication by Jai-Alai Books in 2021, ten copies of the chapbook, a residency in early April at The Writer’s Room at The Betsy Hotel in Miami, and a featured reading at the O, Miami Poetry Festival. Prize is dedicated to the discovery of exceptional chapbook-length manuscripts by Black poets. This is not a first-book award. All unpublished, original collections of poems written in English by black writers are eligible. 



THE BODLEY HEAD/FT ESSAY PRIZE COMPETITION
https://survey.ft.com/jfe/form/SV_6u24tomtuVl85g1
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 24, 2020. Every year, the Financial Times and The Bodley Head, one of Britain's leading publishers of nonfiction, team up to find the best young essay-writing talent from around the world. The Bodley Head/FT Essay competition is open to anyone between 18 and 35 years old. The judges are looking for a dynamic, authoritative and lively essay of no more than 3,500 words in English, on any subject. The winner will receive: £1,000 cash and an e-publication with The Bodley Head, publication in the FT of their winning essay and a mentoring session with The Bodley Head. Two runners-up will win £300 cash each and an e-publication with The Bodley Head. 



WRITERS OF THE FUTURE
https://www.writersofthefuture.com/Contest-Rules-Writers/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 30, 2020. Entries in the Writers of the Future Contest are adjudicated only by professional writers. Prizes of $1,000, $750 and $500 are awarded every three months. From the four quarterly First Place winners each year, a panel of judges select one story as the grand prize winner. The writer of the grand-prize-winning story receives the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Pen Award and an additional $5,000 prize.



VICTORIA LITERARY FESTIVAL CONTEST
https://www.victorialiteraryfestival.com/short-story-contest-2019/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 30, 2020. The short story must not have previously been published or won a prize. One of the finalists will be selected from Island writers. The winners will be published in the Victoria Review in the summer of 2020. First prize will receive $350 CDN with four runners up receiving $50 CDN each. Criteria: A short piece of fiction with a minimum of 1,400 words, taking into consideration the theme: Hats Off. 



GHOST WRITER SHORT STORY CONTEST
https://www.victorialiteraryfestival.com/victoria-literary-festival-ghost-writer-short-story-competition/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 30, 2020. Criteria: A short piece of fiction with a minimum of 1,400 words, taking into consideration the theme: Ghost Writer. The short story must not have previously been published or won a prize. One of the finalists will be selected from Island writers. The winners will be published in the Victoria Review in the summer of 2020. First prize will receive $350 CDN with four runners up receiving $50 CDN each.



MICHAEL MARKS AWARDS FOR POETRY PAMPHLETS
https://www.bl.uk/projects/michael-marks-awards-for-poetry-pamphlets
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 30, 2020. The winning poets will be the 2021 Harvard University’s Michael Marks Poets in Residence at its activities in Greece in the spring.

 

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

NYFA FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
https://current.nyfa.org/post/626981051480326144/apply-now-nyfa-fiscal-sponsorship
Partner with NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship to launch your next project. Applications are due September 30, 2020. NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship supports artists across disciplines by providing resources to help them develop creative projects, build organizations, and craft sustainable careers. NYFA understands how important fundraising is to the growth of your career, and this program helps you flourish. NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship is a fundraising and administrative tool. It allows your project or emerging nonprofit organization to use NYFA’s 501c3 charitable tax-exempt status to fundraise for your activities.



CULLMAN CENTER FELLOWSHIPS
https://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/fellowships-institutes/center-for-scholars-and-writers/fellowships-at-the-cullman-center
Deadline September 25, 2020. The Cullman Center’s Selection Committee awards 15 Fellowships a year to outstanding scholars and writers—academics, independent scholars, journalists, creative writers (novelists, playwrights, poets), translators, and visual artists. Foreign nationals conversant in English are welcome to apply. A Cullman Center Fellow receives a stipend of up to $75,000, the use of an office with a computer, and full access to the Library’s physical and electronic resources. 



SOUTH ARTS TRADITIONAL ARTS TOURING GRANT
https://www.southarts.org/community-organization-grants/traditional-arts-touring-grants#guidelines
There are two grant deadlines: October 1, 2020 and December 4, 2020. Nonprofit organizations, official units of government, and educational organizations, in South Arts’ nine-state region are eligible to apply. South Arts’ nine-state region includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Eligible projects must include the following: Engagement of a traditional artist or ensemble (meeting the description above of a traditional art form) that resides in South Arts’ region, but not within the applicant’s state for, at minimum, one public presentation and one educational activity; A residency of two days or more; The public presentation must include contextual/scholarly content by a folklorist or scholar; Projects must take place in the applicant’s state. Projects may include performing (music, dance, and storytelling) and visual arts/crafts.



NEW ORLEANS RESIDENCY SPACE FOR WRITERS AND ARTISTS
https://forms.gle/hCty3QyLFzm6e4J38
In August, we repurposed our residency space as low-cost, short-term housing for writers and artists experiencing financial stress or housing instability. We are continuing this program for the foreseeable future and have space available, beginning in October. Cost: $300 per month. No deposit, no utilities, no application fee. Available beginning August 1, 2020. You will be asked about your preferred start date and length of stay (one to three months) when you apply. Ad-hoc changes after that will be accommodated as feasible. You must be a writer or artist experiencing financial stress or housing instability. Local (LA-based) applicants preferred; everyone is welcome.



SARATOGA ARTS IN-SCHOOL ARTS EDUCATION GRANTS
http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/rfps/rfp11573-saratoga-arts-invites-letters-of-intent-for-in-school-arts-education-grants
Through the program, and in partnership with local public schools, grants of up to $3,000 will be awarded to individual artists and nonprofit organizations residing or based in the New York counties of Fulton, Montgomery, or Saratoga in support of efforts to engage PK-12 youth in rich, sequential artistic learning experiences. Grants may fund artist stipends/fees associated with residencies, arts-related materials needed to implement the residency, promotional expenses, and other arts-related expenses. Letters of Intent are due September 25. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by November 6, 2020.



SARATOGA ARTS INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANTS
http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/rfps/rfp11563-saratoga-arts-invites-letters-of-intent-for-individual-artist-grants
Deadline September 25, 2020. Through the program, grants of $2,500 will be awarded to individual artists residing in either Fulton, Montgomery, or Saratoga county to create new work and share their creative process with the community. All arts disciplines are eligible and innovative interactions are encouraged. The goals of the program are to enhance artists' technical skills, broaden exposure to their work, and foster creative connections between artists and the community. 



BECKMANN EMERGING ARTIST FELLOWSHIP - INDIANAPOLIS
https://indyarts.org/grants/grants-for-individuals/beckmann-emerging-artist-fellowship
Deadline October 9, 2020. The Robert D. Beckmann, Jr. Emerging Artist Fellowship Program awards two $3,500 fellowships each year to qualified and talented artists in music, dance, theatre, literature, media or the visual arts. The program consists of two distinct components. The first component, a monetary award in the amount of $3,500, will be awarded for supplies, instruction, workshops, studio or rehearsal space, or other uses specifically related to the growth and development of the artist’s artistic work. In addition to the grant, the fellows will receive professional development and growth opportunities through the Arts Council of Indianapolis. 

 

FREELANCE MARKETS / JOBS

INCOMING!
https://incomingmagazine.com/
We are currently looking for pitches for 20-page black and white comics. There are only three guidelines: That your submission is science fiction; the characters and setting are original; and that the text is in English. Other than that – anything goes. We welcome pitches from anybody and anywhere. We will be paying a flat fee of £800 (around $1,000, depending on the exchange rate) for successful submissions. We will also be paying ten percent of every £1 raised over the Kickstarter target amount to each submission contributor.



COSMIC ROOTS AND ELDRITCH SHORES
https://cosmicrootsandeldritchshores.com/submissions/
Pays six cents per word for new fiction and two cents for reprints. Pays two to six cents per word for nonfiction. Poetry is a dollar a line, but poetry over 40 lines is paid at six cents per word. Accepts prose and poetry from 1,000 words on up, though shorter pieces will be favored. Looking for well-written original work in science fiction, fantasy, myth, legend, fairy tales, and eldritch, in written, podcast, video and graphic story form from around the world. 



CHESTNUT REVIEW
https://chestnutreview.com/submissions/
Appears four times per year online and once per year in print in our annual anthology. We are always interested in work that speaks to the season, even if it is in unusual and contradictory ways, but that is in no way a requirement. Pays $100. Deadlines quarterly, preferring work submitted earlier in the quarter, at which time they charge no entry fee. Accepts poetry, flash, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and essay. Only English. 



FUTURE SCIENCE FICTION
http://future-sf.com/submissions/
Deadline September 30, 2020. Science fiction only. For this call, we’re seeking science fiction stories that envision the future of the East Asia region in an optimistic, positive way. No dystopias, please. We consider fiction of 500-10,000 words (under 5,000 words strongly preferred.) We pay eight cents per word.



ZOMBIES NEED BRAINS ANTHOLOGIES (3)
https://www.patreon.com/posts/40888189
Deadline December 31, 2020. Zombies Need Brains LLC is accepting submissions to its three science fiction and fantasy anthologies THE MODERN DEITY’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING HUMANITY, DERELICT, and WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE. Stories for this anthology must be original (no reprints or previously published material), no more than 7,500 words in length, and must satisfy the theme of the anthology. Pay rate will be an advance of a minimum of eight cents per word. The anthology will be published as an ebook and an exclusive mass market paperback edition, distributed to the Kickstarter backers. Royalties on additional sales beyond the Kickstarter will be 25 percent of ebook cover price and 10% of trade paperback cover price, both split evenly (not by word count) between the authors in and editors of the anthology.

 

Publishers/agents

CHARLESBRIDGE 
https://www.charlesbridge.com/pages/manuscript-submission-guidelines
Charlesbridge publishes board books, picture books, early readers, and middle-grade fiction and nonfiction for ages 0-14. Our nonfiction focuses on nature, math/science, social studies, the arts, and diversity/multicultural topics. Our fiction includes lively, plot-driven stories with strong, engaging characters.



CLEAN TEEN
http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/submissions/
We are looking for well-written YA (young adult) or NA (new adult) novels that are between 50,000 and 110,000 words. While we accept stand-alone books, our ideal submission would be the first two books in a series or a novel with a novella that is a prequel to the novel. We are looking for something unique and breathtaking. We are seeking authors who are 18 or older and ready to work hard to build their author brand and to actively market their books alongside us. Genres that we are specifically seeking include the following: horror, mystery, witches, fortune teller, psychic, magician, historical, escapism.



HOT KEY BOOKS
http://hotkeybooks.com/contact/
Looking for great books for teens and YA readers. We are Hot Key Books, publishing original and thought-provoking fiction.



JOLLY FISH PRESS
http://www.jollyfishpress.com/submissions/
Seeks high-quality middle-grade and YA fiction, especially books showcasing strong voices, unique stories, and diverse characters. We also welcome applications from authors interested in producing fiction manuscripts on a work-for-hire basis. 



QUIRK BOOKS
https://www.quirkbooks.com/page/submissions
We love smart, original, cool, and fun books! However, each editor has their own submissions policy, so please review their guidelines carefully. Jhanteigh Kupihea (Editorial Director) loves exceptionally written, high-concept adult fiction and pop-culture-driven nonfiction. If your mystery/thriller has a true-crime or feminist twist to it, send it to her! She loves horror — the more atmospheric and psychological, the better. In nonfiction, she loves anything to do with celebrity, movie, and TV culture, as well as humorous self-care and lifestyle books with a fresh twist. Alex Arnold (Senior Editor) is looking for high-concept, original, and beautifully told stories for the young and young at heart. She specializes in picture books, middle grade, and Young Adult fiction and nonfiction at Quirk. Rebecca Gyllenhaal (Assistant Editor) is on the lookout for high-concept, genre-bending fiction and nonfiction for adults, but is open to good proposals in any category.

 

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
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ISSN: 1533-1326

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