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EDITOR'S THOUGHTS

THEY OUGHT TO LIKE ME

A woman posted on a Facebook group recently how insulted she was that some of her friends and family do not appreciate that she writes romance. She commenced to explain why she wrote it and loved it and how it was the largest selling genre, therefore, it deserved respect. Others on the group echoed her concerns. Everyone was hating those who did not appreciate the romance genre.

They had no business complaining. None at all. As a matter of fact, they were convincing people NOT to read romance with behaviors like that.

The people they were fussing about had just as much right to dislike romance as the complainers did to like and write it. You might as well convince someone who doesn't like broccoli that they ought to like broccoli. It makes that much sense.

I'll be wide open honest right here and now. I do not like to read fantasy, scifi, dystopia, cozy mystery, AND romance. However, I am friends with writers who write them and readers who read them. Just like not everyone eats broccoli, nobody reads all genres. That is their right and their choice. They are just trying to make their lives enjoyable by doing what they love. Why entertain something you do not love?

Ironically, those writers brought attention to the fact they are not very accepting of people different than themselves. They brought more attention to their whining than they did the work they write. Instead, I remember them as whiners instead of as writers. 

Be careful what choices you align yourself with. Choices mean just that, choices. Some will agree and others will not agree, and you have to be careful making people justify their choices. 

Instead of fighting against the ones who disagree, why not court the ones who do. Write for them and enjoy each other. Wouldn't that make for a much better day?

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Featured article

How to Create a Portfolio from Scratch

By Maggie Gigandet

After I decided to stop practicing law and try something new, I discovered the world of freelance writing but did not know how to start this new career path. I didn't have a portfolio, a journalism degree, contacts, or experience with non-legal writing. 

My lack of a portfolio was my biggest obstacle. Publications often required writing samples to accompany pitches. How was I supposed to get writing samples if I couldn't get anyone to publish my writing in the first place? Below are four strategies I used to create a portfolio from scratch. 

Catchafire

I joined Catchafire, a website where people can volunteer to help nonprofit organizations with a variety of projects including writing and editing. I had wonderful experiences on Catchafire and completed several copywriting projects. After a project, I always asked the organization for permission to use the piece in my portfolio, and everyone allowed me to include it.

Professional associations

I also joined professional writing associations for their networking and training opportunities. When I realized the associations were seeking submissions for their newsletters, I was unsure what I could contribute. As a newbie, how was I to advise others? 

So I looked to my other interests to find a useful topic. I enjoy research and had been exploring the online materials of the Library of Congress for a side project. Recognizing it overwhelming for a new user, I submitted a piece introducing readers to the Library's offerings. Encouraged by the publication of that piece, I pitched ideas to the editor of another association's newsletter. While she passed on those pitches, she was interested in my career transition and asked for a piece on that move. By pursuing these opportunities, I published two pieces to an audience of my colleagues.

Other interests

At the same time that I began my freelance writing career, I became interested in recycling and composting. I attended several webinars on these topics hosted by my city and signed up for my city's recycling newsletter. In researching these topics for personal interest, I developed ideas for articles and asked if I could submit articles to the newsletter. Just by asking, I gained two more samples for my portfolio. 

My blog

Part of starting a freelance writing career is determining niches, or topics in which I'm most interested. I enjoy wildlife and the outdoors. Because I also enjoy hiking in the Tennessee State Parks, I launched my own blog about these parks as a way to showcase my writing on outdoor topics and create samples. 

In addition to building my portfolio, these strategies also helped me address my lack of experience and contacts. I even got testimonials from the people I worked with through Catchafire because the site asks for each party to review their experience when they complete a project. I featured these testimonials and my new samples on my website. When I pitch ideas to editors, I include links to these samples, my blog, and my site.

I am excited to have sold my first few articles. I am still new and have a lot to learn, but making progress is easier now that I have examples of my work. 

Bio: Maggie Gigandet is a Nashville freelance writer interested in wildlife, gardening, history, and anything unusual. An avid hiker, Maggie hosts a blog on the Tennessee State Parks on her website: maggiegigandet.com. Contact her at [email protected]. 




 

COmpetitions

WINCHESTER POETRY PRIZE
https://www.winchesterpoetryfestival.org//prize
£5 ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 31, 2021. First Prize: £1,000. Second Prize: £500. Third Prize: £250. A prize is also available for the best poem written by a Hampshire-based poet. Poems may be on any subject and in any form or style. They must be typed and not longer than 40 lines (excluding title). Poems should be in English, must be the entrant's own work and should not have been published or accepted for publication elsewhere. 



PUBLISHIZER - RETHINK THEME - BOOK PROPOSAL PRIZE
https://publishizer.com/contests/2021/rethink/
Deadline May 15, 2021. For this book proposal contest, we are particularly interested in nonfiction book ideas by new and experienced authors with a unique perspective and strong point of view, and books that represent an expert’s life’s work and seek to stretch the boundaries of our online culture and empower us to be better versions of ourselves. Keywords we love: peak performance, business innovation, leadership, personal growth, spirituality, mindfulness, mental health, well-being, influence, dieting, immunity, superfoods, self-care, travel, corporate, creativity, relationships, radical empathy, emotional intelligence, happiness, consciousness, rethink. The prize will be awarded to the entry with the most number of pre-orders sold during the contest. Only the number of preorders and readers registered during the 30 days of the campaign will count towards the contest. It is recommended that you price your book at USD $25 per copy. This contest has 1 cash prize of USD $500. Editors from independent and traditional publishing houses will judge and express interest in submissions based on originality of ideas, quality of writing, relevance of content, and Publishizer's book proposal elements: Hook, Video, Synopsis, Author Profile, Sales Arguments, Audience, Similar Titles , Category, # of Pre-orders.



CRAFT SHORT FICTION PRIZE
https://www.craftliterary.com/short-fiction-prize/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 2, 2021. Open to all writers. Limit 5,000 words. We review literary fiction, but are open to a variety of genres and styles. Our only requirement is that you show excellence in your craft. All entries will also be considered for publication in CRAFT. 



RAYMOND CARVER SHORT STORY CONTEST
https://www.carvezine.com/raymond-carver-contest
$17 ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 15, 2021. Prizes: $2000, $500, $250, and two $125. Winning stories will be read by three literary agents. Limit 10,000 words. We accept entries from anywhere in the world, but the story must be in English. No genre fiction (romance, horror, sci-fi); literary fiction only.



ALICE JAMES AWARD
https://www.alicejamesbooks.org/submit
$30 ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 1, 2021. The Alice James Award welcomes submissions from emerging as well as established poets. Entrants must reside in the United States. The winner receives $2,000, book publication, and distribution through Consortium. In addition to the winning manuscript, one or more additional manuscripts may be chosen for publication as the Editor’s Choice. Limit 48 – 100 pages in length (single spaced).



PETER HINCHCLIFFE SHORT FICTION AWARD
https://tnq.ca/peter-hinchcliffe-award/
$40 ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 28, 2021. A $1,000 top prize will be awarded for one work of short fiction. All entries will be considered for publication in The New Quarterly ($250 paid upon publication). Entrants must not have published either a first novel or short story collection. Entrants must be Canadian (citizen or resident). Submissions must be unpublished, nor can they be accepted for publication elsewhere. While there is no word limit to short fiction entries, most fall within the range of 2,000 to 5,000 words.



WARE POETS AWARD
http://www.poetrypf.co.uk/comps/ware21.pdf
£4 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 30, 2021. First Prize £600. Second Prize £300. Third Prize £150. Poems must be your own original work and may be on any subject. They must be typed or neatly handwritten on A4 paper, and no longer than 50 lines. Open to anyone age 16 or over.



HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS SHORT STORY COMPETITION
http://www.hissac.co.uk/CompetitionDetails
£5 ENTRY FEE. Deadline July 31, 2021. Entries are welcomed from around the world. We actively like the odd and the strange. We run a Short Story Competition and a Flash Fiction Competition. Both have a First Prize of £200, Second Prize: £75, and Third Prize: £50. There may also be several Highly Commended places in both competitions. All these stories will be placed on the website. Short story limit 2,000 words. Flash word count limit 500 words. The theme is open, with no link to Scotland needed by either entrant or theme. 



GRINDSTONE SHORT STORY PRIZE
https://www.grindstoneliterary.com/short-story-prize
£10-12 ENTRY FEE. Deadline August 1, 2021. The Grindstone Short Story Prize returns this year, seeking out the best short fiction writers from around the world. With previous winners submitting from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, to name a few, this is truly a global prize that rewards creativity. Writers are asked to submit a piece of short fiction between 1,000 and 3,000 words, of any genre, aimed at adult readers. Grand Prize - £500. Runner Up - £200. 4x Shortlisters - £50. The top 20 entries will be curated into our yearly anthology and published in print. Entries submitted during the Early Bird phase of our prize will receive an Advanced Announcement, detailing the result of their entry.
 

GRANTS / FELLOWSHIPS / CROWDFUNDING

MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL
https://artsake.massculturalcouncil.org/assets-for-artists-2021/
With the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating effect on practicing artists, Assets for Artists (A4A) has redesigned its business and financial education programming to provide artists with recovery-focused, distance-learning opportunities that largely retain the intimate cohort-focused style of in-person workshops. Let’s come together to discuss current challenges, relief efforts, and opportunities for artists’ financial futures. 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. All workshops are open to Massachusetts artists at all stages of their career.



SC FILM COMMISSIONS GRANTS
https://filmsc.com/training/grant/default.aspx
The SC Film Production Fund was created to develop collaborative projects in film, video and multimedia between professionals in motion picture and related industries, and South Carolina institutions of higher learning. Independent producers and other professionals in motion picture-related fields partner with South Carolina colleges, working with their students to help South Carolina build its knowledge pool and improve the skills of those already involved in the industry.  



SC INDIE GRANTS
https://www.indiegrants.org/
As part of their mission to support South Carolina's production industry, the South Carolina Film Commission and Trident Technical College produce a series of grant and training programs through-out the year.  Centered around the INDIE GRANTS, where top-notch production professionals and independent filmmakers make short films and Trident Technical College students work under them as hands-on technical training, these innovative programs also include technical and creative workshops, the South Carolina Young Filmmakers Project, special screenings, and other events.  Providing professional development and training for South Carolina crew, production professionals, independent filmmakers, and students.  The only one of its kind in the nation.  



PEN/HEIM TRANSLATION FUND
https://pen.org/pen-heim-grants/
Deadline June 1, 2021. Through the fund, grants will be awarded for the translation of book-length works of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or drama that have not previously appeared in English in print or have appeared only in an outdated or otherwise flawed translation. Grants typically range between $2,000 and $4,000. Works should be translations-in-progress, as the grant aims to provide support for completion.



NEVADA AIS+C ROSTER
https://www.nvartscouncil.org/rosters/teaching-artists/
Deadline May 31, 2021. The Nevada Arts Council invites teaching artists, arts and culture groups and non-profit arts organizations of all disciplines to apply to the Artists in Schools + Communities (AIS+C) Roster. The AIS+C Roster is designed as an online resource for schools, organizations and communities to broaden and diversify participation in the arts through the engagement of artists in educational and community cultural residencies and programs. The roster offers two tracks - an Education Track for arts-based learning in pre-K - 12 settings, and a Community Track for arts-based learning in community settings. Artists may apply in one or both tracks. AIS+C Roster artists are promoted by the Nevada Arts Council to schools and communities around the state for learning through, in and about the arts.



TENNESSEE TEACHING ARTISTS ROSTER
https://tnartscommission.org/arts-access/lifetime-arts-app-and-training/
The Tennessee Arts Commission is developing a roster of teaching artists to be trained in developing meaningful arts learning and experiences for older adults across Tennessee.  In partnership with Lifetime Arts, national leaders in creative aging program development and training, professional development training will be offered to individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations in curriculum design, sequential learning methods, and sustainable program models related to effectively teaching older adults. Twenty-five 25 participants representing a diverse range of geographic regions, art disciplines and teaching experiences will be chosen for participation.  There is no cost for this training, but participants must apply by May 19, 2021 and be accepted for one of the twenty-five (25) available training seats.



ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE FELLOWS
https://rsliterature.org/rsl-open-recommendation-form/
Deadline May 1, 2021. We are asking you – RSL Fellows, as well as publishers, agents and arts administrators, passionate readers, and peers – to recommend excellent writers from communities under-represented in UK literary culture for nomination to Fellowship. The writer must have published in the UK at least two substantial workd in English. Must be a citizen or resident of the UK. Mst be a writer whose work might be overlooked in UK literary culture because they identify as a writer of colour, an LGBTQ+ writers, a disabled writer, a working-class writer, a lower socio-economic level writer, or a writer that lives outside London. We're looking for people working in diverse literary forms, so put forward your favourite writers of drama, fiction, graphic fiction, non-fiction, poetry and screenplays. 
 
 

FREELANCE MARKETS / JOBS

ECOLOGIST
https://theecologist.org/writers-fund
We aim to pay £200 per article to help support writers who would not be able to publish without pay, and/or writers from underrepresented groups. The Ecologist operates on a not-for-profit basis to publish the latest in global environment news, from developments in science and policy to climate justice activism and ecological thought. 



GRIST
https://grist.org/about/writers/
Our editors will consider a wide range of freelance pitches, from reported essays to in-depth investigations to changemaker profiles and Q&As. We’re particularly interested in ideas for features that could fill our weekly cover story slot. Our core topics include clean energy, sustainable food, environmental justice, livable communities, and reinventing the economy through cutting-edge science and cleantech. We’re looking for stories that offer compelling narratives, surprising perspectives, newsworthy revelations, awesome visuals, or can’t-miss commentary. We want articles about wicked problems and kick-ass problem solvers that readers will devour and share.
 

 

Publishers/agents

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GIBSON HOUSE
https://gibsonhousepress.com/
A traditional press based in the Chicago area, Gibson House Press publishes literary fiction. Writers are invited to submit complete full-length-novel manuscripts (in the range of 60,000 to 80,000 words). Please provide a brief bio and include a synopsis of your novel in your cover letter. We’d love to hear how you heard about us. We especially love writers who are also musicians and music fans.



JADED IBIS PRESS
https://jadedibispress.com/about/
We are a feminist press committed to publishing socially engaged literature with an emphasis on the voices of people of color, people with disabilities, and other historically silenced and culturally marginalized voices. We are looking for writing with no holds barred: visceral, subtle, loud, honest, confounding prose that tackles a personal or universal truth and that makes us see the world around us more clearly or from a different perspective. Whether the manuscript deals with themes related to social justice, persecution, feminism, or reveals something about what it’s like to struggle through this world, with all the related losses and triumphs and unanswered questions that entails, we want to read it! Our past publications explore these themes with an additional focus on intersectionality.



ALABASTER LEAVES
https://kelsaybooks.com/pages/alabaster-leaves-publishing
Chapbooks under 50 pages. Please submit no more than 38 pages of poetry. No reading fee. We require half of the poems in the manuscript to have been published in magazines and journals. (Your own blog or self-published book does not count as being published.)



ALTERNATING CURRENT PRESS
https://www.press.alternatingcurrentarts.com/2016/11/submit-to-alternating-current-press.html
Manuscripts can be fiction, nonfiction, poetry, plays, or hybrid. Choose the category of best fit. Must be at least 18 to submit. All work must be in English and must be the author’s own. Single work by multiple authors considered. All genres, styles, lengths, and themes considered, but work should be full book-length. (We only print slim chapbooks in our Little Pigeon series.) Work may be author-submitted or agent-submitted. There is a $6.99 fee for each manuscript submitted. Black writers and Native American writers may submit free. All selected manuscripts receive 10 complimentary print copies, complimentary digital copies, 50/50 royalties, an at-cost discount (without obligation) for print editions, our full publicity and distribution packages, and a standard contract. The 2021 Electric Book Award winner receives a $100 honorarium and 10 additional complimentary print copies. We are currently reading for the 2022 and 2023 print years.




ANANKE PRESS
https://anankepress.com/
We are here for the stories overlooked both by the omnivorous salesforce and the finicky elite: complex, imaginative, unpredictable stories told in a complex, imaginative, unpredictable way. Simply put, we are here for smart speculative fiction.



APOLLO PUBLISHERS
http://apollopublishers.com/
Apollo Publishers is a high-concept, boutique publishing house designed with the interests of today’s readers in mind. Our vibrant, one-of-a-kind books are from authors with expertise and compelling new ideas. We are exclusively publishing timely and topical nonfiction for adult trade audiences. Topics may cover a broad spectrum as long as they are relevant today and are likely to be relevant in the years to come.



ALCOVE PRESS
https://alcovepress.com/
Alcove Press is dedicated to publishing upmarket book club fiction that explores family, friendship, and community. Our carefully curated list embraces stories with new perspectives on our shared human experience. It focuses on stories of journey, self-discovery, and connection that are accessible, insightful and provocative. Alcove Press highlights the work of debut, established, and bestselling authors alike, providing a home for each that celebrates the stories that bring us together and keep us talking.

 

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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

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ISSN: 1533-1326

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