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REVIEWING IS AN HONOR

With every release of a novel, the author and publisher seek quick reviews so that others will buy. Receiving a review copy is an honor, frankly. You have been entrusted with a book, a free book, often ahead of others, and you have been asked for your particular opinion. The author and publisher want you to be part of a driving force of educating the world about that new book. Regardless the number of stars, you are helping to inform readers. 

That publisher didn't print those books for free. That author lost out on royalties on those books. One or the other paid postage so the review would not have to read an ebook . . . unless they just wanted to.

Yet most people who receive review copies do not review. They take the free book and are never heard from again. That is why NetGalley (professional reviewing distribution site) and many publishers only release ebooks. Not only are the books easier to distribute, but they are less of a loss when they disappear into the ether with no review.

But some authors still distribute print review copies upon request. After the cost of printing, handling, and postage, the books are mailed. Many of these books are autographed as a thank-you. The majority of those never result in a review either.

The cost of a printed review copy runs anywhere from $8 to $13, depending on whether you self-published or traditionally published. An author receives some free copies, but not that many. I receive 15. The cost of mailing those free books, however, is mine. The cost of the additional review copies, is mine. 

A publisher or author may send out ten review copies or fifty, depending on the budget. They either mail them to professional reviewers or ask readers to step up and volunteer on places like Facebook, Goodreads, blogs, and newsletters. To give you an idea of my last book, Salkehatchie Secret, here are the numbers:

42 - total number of print copies mailed
 2 - number of ebook copies sent
22 - number of reviews posted on Amazon
 2 - number unable to post a review on Amazon
20 - number who didn't review

(22 books times $13 = $286 loss)

Like a free sandwich at the drive-through, like the free box of cereal at the grocer, someone spent the money to put that product into place and offer it to you for free. Those lucky enough to receive a freebie will hopefully remember the brand or the store and hopefully spread the word . . . or return and buy. 

Some people just see a free book as a free book. Nothing lost by anyone. But somewhere on that supply chain, somebody paid for that book. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on one, please pay for it with a review. For incentive, go onto Goodreads and set yourself a goal under their annual reading challenge. Here's mine (and see below). What's great is that this challenge also entices you to review those books, in case you a little nudge. 





(Written on behalf of silent authors everywhere.  ~Hope)

SUPER SPONSOR 

Fix, Grist’s solutions lab, is launching a new climate-fiction contest, Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors


 

The contest will award $8,700 in prizes and publication

Deadline: April 12, 2021 | No entry fee

Imagine calls for short stories (3,000–5,000 words) that envision the next 180 years of climate progress. Judges include renowned authors Adrienne Maree Brown, Kiese Laymon, and Morgan Jerkins.

The top three contest winners will be awarded $3000, $2000, and $1000 respectively, and nine finalists will receive a $300 honorarium. Winners and finalists will be published in an immersive digital collection. 

Imagine draws inspiration from Afrofuturism, as well as Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, disabled, feminist, and queer futures, and the genres of hopepunk and solarpunk. We want to see — and share — stories that center climate solutions from the most impacted communities, and bring into focus what a truly regenerative future could look like.

More information . . . 

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Featured article

Six Rookie Mistakes to Quit Making

By Amanda Zieba

If your middle school years were anything like mine, the cafeteria was a dangerous place. Where to sit? What to say? And just when you thought you figured it all out, everything changed.

Entering the writing world gave me a déjà vu of walking back into the middle school lunchroom. Even if I knew the names of the people at the tables, they definitely didn’t know mine. Worse than that, we didn’t even seem to speak the same language. 

Today I want to offer you six rookie mistakes to quit making as you enter that writing lunchroom. Are you ready to move up and sit with the big kids? Good, because here we go. 

1.    Stop talking about the length of your manuscript in pages.

In the publishing industry, length is measured and discussed in word count. Also, you should know there are guidelines for how long each type of book, genre, and age level text should be. Yes, there are exceptions, but as a newbie, you should stick to these highly recommended suggestions. 

2.    Publishers, agents, and editors use Microsoft Word.

Do not send anyone a Google Doc. Yes, I use Google personally and within my academic professional life, but when it comes to writing, you should ALWAYS use Microsoft Word.

3.    Create and use an email address that is your name. [email protected] .

As cute and clever as [email protected] is, it isn’t professional. That moniker also doesn’t help people remember your name, which is the ultimate goal. Email addresses are free. Get one that presents you as a professional. 

4.    In the traditional publishing world, authors do not find their own illustrators.

The publishers do. Asking how to find pictures or an illustrator for your book instantly labels you as a rookie. Don’t bother. 

5.    Don’t use any title other than writer.

Avoid “pre-published author” or “aspiring author.” You write. You are a writer. Leave it at that. Once you are published you can switch your title to “author.”

6.    You don’t need to copyright your work before submitting to agents and publishers.

Again, asking about it makes you stand out like a newbie. Just don’t.

Follow these suggestions and you’ll take a few steps forward in your authorpreneur education. Continue to educate yourself through blog posts, podcasts, courses, and eventually, when we are allowed to gather in groups to discuss nerdy things together again . . . conferences. 

Be brave. Ask questions.

There are many writerly groups and people that are very kind and will be happy to show you the ropes. SCBWI, for children's writer and illustrators, is one of the best. If you find yourself in a snobby/snarky/cocky/condescending writing circle, consider finding new mentors who will guide you kindly. Maybe your town has a writing club, or your community college has great offerings. Check them out. Attend a retreat. If you are feeling brave, sit at the table with the cool kids and just listen for a bit. 



BIO: This article was originally published on Amanda Zieba’s blog where she shares word nerd goodness each and every Wednesday. She is also the author of 11 books and creator of the Take Action Author Plan course. Subscribe to her email list and grab your free writing prompt PDF.

 

COmpetitions

FUPO POETRY CONTEST
https://coastalshelf.com/contests/#fupo
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 5, 2021. The FuPo Poetry Contest is for “funny and poignant” poems under 60 lines. We want witty, we want dark humor, and we want to look at things in a new way or learn a fact that fits perfectly into a well-told-tale. We aren’t looking for linguistic puzzles, but we’re also not looking for Ogden Nash—apologies to Nashites, but it’s not for us. Pays $250 first prize, $100 second prize, and $50 third prize, and all of the pieces submitted will be considered for publication at the normal rate (this year, that would be $30).



THE CEILING 200 CONTEST
https://coastalshelf.com/contests/#ceiling
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 5, 2021. The Ceiling 200 Contest is for very short fiction or prose poetry under 200 words long. Pays $250 first prize, $100 second prize, and $50 third prize, and all of the pieces submitted will be considered for publication at the normal rate (this year that would be $30).



BRIDGE EIGHT FICTION PRIZE
https://bridgeeight.submittable.com/submit
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 31, 2021. The prize includes $1,000 and publication as Bridge Eight's featured title in Spring 2022. Full-length fiction manuscripts—whether they be a novel, multiple novellas, or a tight collection of short stories. We’re not closed to any genres, but most of what we publish is literary fiction with that “other thing” lingering in the room. Submit 45,000-75,000 words. 



CLAY REYNOLDS NOVELLA PRIZE
http://texasreviewpress.org/submissions/clay-reynolds-novella-prize
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 31, 2021. Prize comes with a $500 advance, a standard royalty contract, and 20 copies of the published book. Open to anyone writing in English. Novella manuscripts should have a total word count of between 20,000 and 50,000 words.



PERMAFROST BOOK PRIZE IN FICTION
https://permafrostmag.submittable.com/submit/95645/permafrost-book-prize-in-fiction
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 16, 2021. The Permafrost Book Prize in Fiction offers publication of a book-length work of fiction (novel, novella, or short story collection), $1000, and distribution through University of Alaska Press. We prefer manuscripts that are a minimum of 150 pages. The Permafrost Book Prize in Fiction welcomes manuscripts from any writer, including non-US citizens, writing in English. 



PINCH LITERARY AWARDS
http://www.pinchjournal.com/2021-pinch-literary-awards
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 31, 2021. The 2021 Pinch Literary Awards will exclusively accept fiction and poetry submissions. First place contest winners in poetry and fiction will each receive $2,000. Fiction submitted should have a maximum word count of 5,000 words. We do NOT accept submissions via email. There is no limit to the number of submissions a person can make.



NEW OHIO REVIEW FICTION PRIZE
https://newohioreview.submittable.com/submit
$22 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 15, 2021. You may submit one story per submission. Prose should be typed, double-spaced, and be no longer than 20 pages. Winner receives $1,500 prize and publication in New Ohio Review 30. Stories that are not selected will still be considered for publication. Entry fee comes with one-year subscription (issues 29 and 30).



GEIST LITERARY POSTCARD COMPETITION
https://www.geist.com/contests/postcard-contest/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 15, 2021. Send us a story and a postcard—the relationship can be as strong or as tangential as you like, so long as there is a clear connection between the story and the image. The story can be fiction or nonfiction; maximum length is 500 words. First prize $500, second prize $250, third prize $150. All winning entries will be published in Geist and on geist.com. Includes a one-year subscription to Geist, Canada's favourite literary magazine. International entrants will receive the digital edition.

 

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

BOGLIASCO FOUNDATION
https://bfny.org/en/apply
Deadline April 15, 2021. An American nonprofit with a program in Italy, the Bogliasco Foundation awards one-month fellowships to individuals of all ages and nationalities who have made significant contributions in the arts and humanities. Fellows live and work in bucolic surroundings on the coast near Genoa, where natural beauty combines with an intimate group setting to encourage inquiry and transformative exchange across all disciplines. The foundation is now accepting applications for the Virginia Howard Fellowship, which includes a $3,000 stipend for an African American woman working in any discipline of the arts and humanities at any stage in her career. Van Cleef & Arpels sponsors annual fellowships for a choreographer and a young poet of any nationality that includes a $2,000 stipend for the awardees. These special fellowships also provide a one-month residency at the Bogliasco Study Center.



RHODE ISLAND STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS
https://risca.online/grants/project-grants-for-individuals/
Deadline April 1, 2021. Applications will open on February 15, 2021, for projects happening between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. Project Grants for Individuals (PGI) provides $500-$3,000 grants to artist instigated and organized arts projects with a strong public component. Through PGI, RISCA supports highly creative and talented artists who seek to create, produce, perform, teach, or share their work with the public. You must be a United States citizen or Green Card holder and a current, legal resident of the State of Rhode Island.



NATIVE ARTS & CULTURE FOUNDATION
https://www.nativeartsandcultures.org/lift-eligibility
Deadline March 16, 2021. The Native Arts & Cultures Foundation advances equity and cultural knowledge, with a focus on the power of arts and collaboration to strengthen Native communities and promote positive social change within American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native communities in the United States. Through the program, grants of up to $10,000, as well as professional development and convening opportunities, will be awarded to early-career Native artists to develop and realize new projects. The program is open to individual practicing artists working in the disciplines of dance/choreography, fiction/poetry writing, film/video, multi-disciplinary arts, music, performance art, theater and screenplay writing, traditional arts, or 2D + 3D visual arts.



VERMONT CREATION GRANTS
https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/artists/creation
Deadline April 14, 2021. Creation Grants support the creation of new work by Vermont artists. Creation Grants can fund time, materials, some equipment costs, and space rental for artists and artist groups. An independent panel of practicing artists and arts professionals reviews the applications for this highly competitive program. While all eligible Vermont artists are encouraged to apply for a Creation Grant, special consideration will be given to emerging artists in this grant round. Generally, emerging artists are defined as those who are at an early stage in their career development. Age is not a factor in determining an emerging artist. The grant amount for this program is $4,000 per award.



NEW ENGLAND STATES TOURING GRANT (NEST)
https://www.nefa.org/grants/find-grant/new-england-states-touring-nest-grant
Deadline March 15, 2021 for projects occurring from June 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022. NEST does not fund self-produced presentations by artists/ensembles. Artist must coordinate with nonprofits, schools, tribal governments, or units of state or local government. All must be based in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont). CreativeGround houses the directory of all artists (NEST artists) who may be chosen by NEST applicants for funding. Learn more about NEST artists on the NEST program page. (www.creativeground.org)



PEN AMERICAN EMERGING VOICES FELLOWSHIPS
https://pen.org/emerging-voices-fellowship/
Deadline March 17, 2021. The Emerging Voices Fellowship provides a five-month immersive mentorship program for early-career writers from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the publishing world. Through curated one-on-one mentorship and introductions to editors, agents, and publishers, in addition to workshops on editing, marketing, and creating a platform, the five-month fellowship nurtures creative community, provides a professional skill set, and demystifies the path to publication—with the ultimate goal of diversifying the publishing and media industries.

 

FREELANCE MARKETS / JOBS

CORAL MAGAZINE and AMAZONAS MAGAZINE
https://www.reef2rainforest.com/contributor-guidelines/
CORAL is the world’s leading marine aquarium magazine, read in English in more than 100 countries. AMAZONAS is the world’s leading freshwater-only aquarium magazine. Available in high-quality print and digital editions, published six times per year, bimonthly. A typical blog post runs from about 250 to 1,000 words and will include at least one image, but our contributors often include multiple images. Images for blogs need only be standard web-resolution. Typical blog compensation is $25 per published post, including images. Payments range from about $100 to $600 per article, depending on length, complexity, the author’s experience, and whether or not images are included with the text. First-time contributors generally receive $300 to $350 for an article, including images. Top rates are $500-$600 for full features with images from known, recurring contributors.



BOULEVARD
https://www.boulevardmagazine.org/guidelines
Boulevard strives to publish only the finest in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. While we frequently publish writers with previous credits, we are very interested in less experienced or unpublished writers with exceptional promise. If you have practiced your craft and your work is the best it can be, send it to Boulevard. We accept prose works up to 8,000 words. We do not accept science fiction, erotica, westerns, horror, romance, or children's stories. Submit no more than five poems at a time. We accept poems of up to 200 lines. We do not accept light verse. Prose minimum is $100, maximum is $300. Poetry minimum is $50, maximum is $250. Natural Bridge Online publication is a flat rate of $50.



SPIRITUALITY AND HEALTH
https://www.spiritualityhealth.com/submissions
Articles can be anywhere from about 500 words to about 3,000. A nice range for digital is 600-800 words. Spirituality & Health is now a complete resource including print, spiritualityhealth.com, podcasts, courses, travel, and events. We draw from the wisdom of many traditions and cultures with an emphasis on sharing practices. We look to science to help provide a context for the spiritual quest. We cover a broad range of topics under the umbrella of health and spirituality, which can include: faith, Eastern philosophy, meditation, mainstream religion, nutrition, wellness, yoga, holistic medicine, creativity, the inner life, social justice, issues of conscience, public health, the human body, and the environment.



RECREATION NEWS
https://www.recreationnews.com/site/contact.html
The Recreation News Media Group offers travel coverage of the Mid-Atlantic, Caribbean destinations, and cruises with a print edition, online edition, weekly radio program, and weekly opt-in email blast. Recreation News is the largest monthly travel and leisure tabloid in the Mid-Atlantic. We provide our readers with information on family vacation destinations in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Washington, DC as well as popular cruise and romantic getaway information. Our lively editorial mix of active outdoor recreation, family vacation destinations, romantic getaways, historic sites, and cultural activities together with our wine, food, video, and music columns offers a rich picture of vacation, getaway, and entertainment possibilities in the Mid-Atlantic and beyond.



NEW ORLEANS REVIEW
https://www.neworleansreview.org/submit/
A journal of contemporary literature and culture, New Orleans Review is a publication of the Department of English at Loyola University New Orleans. Submit fiction pieces up to 5,000 words. Flash fiction welcome, but only one piece at a time. Submit nonfiction pieces up to 5,000 words. Flash nonfiction welcome, but only one piece at a time. Submit up to five pages of poems. 


 

Publishers/agents

EASTOVER PRESS
https://eastoverpress.com/
EastOver Press publishes books by emerging and established writers. We focus on collections of short stories, essays, or poetry, though we are open to hybrid forms that might combine aspects of different genres. We seek to publish work in a format that honors both the writing and the writer and look for collections of the best new short fiction, essays, and poetry from emerging and established writers. We seek work that responds to our common experience and reflects our differences. 



11:11 PRESS
https://1111press.com/submit
11:11 press is currently open to submissions of full length fiction, poetry, and hybrid manuscripts through our portal on Oleada. 11:11 Press is an American independent literary publisher based in Minneapolis, MN. Founded in 2018, 11:11 publishes innovative literature of all forms and varieties. 



NANCY YOST AGENCY
https://www.nyliterary.com/pages.php?c=submissions
The Nancy Yost Literary Agency is based in New York City. We represent a diverse list of talented, dedicated authors. Including New York Times and USA Today Best Sellers. Each of the agents brings a varied set of skills, tastes, and backgrounds with them, but all share a passion for good books, hard work, and finding creative ways to help their authors advance. For fiction and narrative nonfiction, please include a query letter, which should include a brief overview of your project, previous publications, if any, and any relevant information about you, along with sample material. For prescriptive nonfiction, please send a query letter, and sample material which should include an overview, table of contents, information regarding your platform, and sample chapter.



MUSHENS ENTERTAINMENT
https://www.mushens-entertainment.com/submissions-guidelines
Mushens Entertainment is a leading UK literary agency that represents a diverse range of authors. From Sunday Times Bestsellers, to actors, brands, award nominated and record breaking authors, we have something for every reader and writer. 



LAUNCHBOOKS
http://launchbooks.com/submissions/
Interested in popular science and technology aimed at a broad audience, narrative nonfiction, sports and adventure, concept-driven nonfiction with a sociological bent, business and entrepreneurship, current events and politics, humor and popular culture, science fiction, cyber-thrillers, fantasy, urban fantasy, pop culture and genre-crossing fiction. 


 

SPONSORS

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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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