This Little Writer Went to Market...and you can, too!

A couple of years ago, I taught a workshop at the FaithWriters conference, which I titled, THIS LITTLE WRITER WENT TO MARKET. I figured since THIS little writer (that would be me) went to market, maybe what I've learned along the way could help other little writers who want to go to market, too.

In the many years I've been a freelance writer, I've gotten lots of questions from people wanting to dip their toes into the world of freelancing. Most specifically, people are interested in where and how to submit their work to paying markets. They would love to make money with their writing, but have no idea how to go about it.

Ever since that FaithWriters conference, I've wanted to create an ebook with the information I taught in the workshop. It took me over two years, but I finally did it! And now that ebook is available for you. It's a brief guide (15-23 pages, depending on the format you select), but it includes sections on writing for greeting cards, magazines, and anthologies. There is also a section on writing contests and online opportunities. You'll find lots of links and resources to check out (and click on), and also samples of cover letters, and a brief explanation of "rights."


Here is the official description:

This short and practical guide is written specifically for Christian writers who are ready to make money with their writing and step into the world of freelancing. If you're wondering how to get started and where to submit your work, this guide will help. Also a section on writing contests. Includes sample cover letters, as well as many links and resources to Christian markets and helpful freelancing sites. Although geared towards Christian writers, this guide contains practical tips that can be applied to the general market, as well.

If you're interested, I encourage you to upload your copy. THIS LITTLE WRITER WENT TO MARKET is available on the following sites for only $1.99:

FaithWriters.com - The PDF version is available on FaithWriters. Personally, this is my favorite version because of the readability. The FaithWriters version includes an extra sample of how to submit to opportunities posted on the FaithWriters site.

Amazon.com - Kindle version

Smashwords - Various formats

A few fabulous writing opportunities!

So was one of your New Year's resolutions to pursue more writing opportunities or enter more contests? If so, here are a few to consider:

Romance Short Stories: Write Integrity Press is accepting entries for "Heart Bouquets" - an electronic fictional romance anthology scheduled for release on Valentaine's Day. Deadline is January 31st, which doesn't leave much time, but with a word-count range of 2,000-5,000, it's definitely doable! FREE to enter. Here is the link with all the details: HEART'S BOUQUET

The "JOY" Contest: Also sponsored by Write Integrity Press, here are three more opportunities for publication (and cash!) The BOOKS OF JOY contest is open to entries for fictional and non-fictional series. The ONE JOY contest is open to entries for fictional and non-fictional stand-alone books. And the CHRISTMAS JOY contest is open to entries for fictional and non-fictional Christmas-themed books. There is a minimal entry fee, but there will be several winners who will walk away with a contract and a big wad of cold, hard cash! Worth checking out. Here is the link with complete guidelines: JOY CONTEST

ACFW Genesis Contest: The annual ACFW Genesis Contest for unpublished fiction authors is now open for entries! There is a fee, but this is a wonderful opportunity to get your work in front of industry agents and editors, as well as receive excellent feedback on your work. Many Genesis finalists and winners have gone on to be published by traditional publishers (including me!) Get the scoop here: ACFW GENESIS CONTEST

FaithWriters Page Turner Contest - While this contest is exclusively for FaithWriters Platinum Members, it offers one of the biggest prize packages: FREE editing, publicity, marketing, conference registration, possible publication, and $800 cash! All that is required is the first chapter of your novel, along with a brief synopsis. I actually took home the prize in 2009, so I can attest to this amazing contest! For all the details, click here: PAGE TURNER CONTEST

FaithWriters Paid Blogging Contest - FaithWriters.com has added a few new paid writing opportunities recently (so if you're not a member, I highly encourage you to join). The Blogging Contest is open to any level (Silver - Platinum). Just write a blog post about the sponsored ministry, and post it in the allotted forum on the message boards. Entries will be judged for first, second, and third place winners, who will receive paid writing assignments from the organization. This is a chance to not only win, but spread the word about excellent ministries and help bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Full details on the contest page: BLOGGING CONTEST

FaithWriters Writing Challenge - One more great opportunity from FaithWriters.com. The Weekly Writing Challenge is the most popular feature on the site, and now offers cash prizes for each level (Beginner - Masters). This contest is open to all Gold and Platinum members, but also allows 4 credits per year for Silver (free) members, so everyone has a chance to win. The Challenge offers a way to exercise your talent and get great feedback on your work. Write to a topic, word-count, and deadline. For further information, visit the Challenge page: FAITHWRITERS WRITING CHALLENGE

Highlights for Children - This annual contest is open for entries through January 31st. Publication in the Highlights magazine, plus $1,000 cash prize will be awarded. If you're a children's writer, this is for you! And it's FREE! Complete contest guidelines here: HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN

Let me know if you take advantage of any of these opportunities. And if you know of another contest or market currently accepting submissions, do share!

Freelancing Finds

Maybe you're looking to supplement your fiction habit with freelance writing. Or maybe you're a full-time freelancer and are constantly on the lookout for places to submit your work. Well, here are two good opportunities I came across.  Just wanted to share...

THIN THREADS

Kiwi Publishing is looking for true, inspirational stories of 1200 words or less that will make readers laugh, cry, or sigh. Stories should be positive, universal, and non-controversial. The "point" or "message" should be evident without preaching. No essays, commentaries, tributes, philosophical or biographical pieces will be accepted. We are currently collecting stories in the following categories:

• Thin Threads of Women & Friendship
• Thin Threads of Veterans & Heroes
• Thin Threads of Pets & Companions
• Thin Threads of Faith & Hope
• Thin Threads of Family & Legacy
• Thin Threads of Moms & Grandmas
• Thin Threads of Dads & Grandpas
• Thin Threads of Holidays & Celebrations (including Romance/Valentine's Day)
• Thin Threads of Teens & Young Adults
• Thin Threads of Babies & New Parents

Each story must:

1. Be real, nonfiction
2. Capture the essence of a thin thread event
3. Evoke an emotion from the reader

You may submit more than one story for any of our upcoming titles. Please select stories from your own experiences, or from someone in your life.

Should your story be selected and be included in one of the Thin Thread book series, a permission fee of $100 will be paid to you. To submit your story, click here.
_________________________________________________________________

WORD AFLAME PUBLICATIONS


Word Aflame welcomes submissions for The Vision, their Sunday School take-home paper. They are in need of personal experience, interviews, fiction, poetry, and devotionals.

Check out the complete submission guidelines here: Submission Guidelines

Rejection Misconception

On Saturday, I met with three other writers: One good friend I've known for a couple years, one FaithWriters friend I met once before at last year's conference, and one lovely lady who contacted me through Examiner.com and was actually the one who suggested the get-together. Over coffee, breakfast and lunch, we talked writing. It was the best 4 hours I've spent in a long time!

I won't go into our entire conversation (do you have four hours to spare?) but I want to mention something that came up. One of the ladies and I were talking about article submissions. She is frustrated because her article was recently rejected and she's wondering what she did wrong and what she should now do to fix it.

Her question is one I've heard a thousand times from other writers. And it reminded me of a common misconception writers have. The misconception is:

There is one perfect way to write my article in order for it to be accepted, and I need to figure out what it is.

This is so not true.

I can totally relate to the disappointment, frustration, and confusion that comes with rejection. Trust me. I've had my work rejected - many times! Early on in my writing career, yes. The rejections had to do with the quality of work. There are certain aspects of article or story writing that are essential - like grammar, point of view, structure, and the ability to actually make a point well. But now that I have learned how to write better, the rejections, more often than not, have more to do with my article not fitting the current needs of the publication, or that the editor just isn't all warm and fuzzy about my piece. But that does not mean the next editor won't love it.

If every time I got a rejection, I changed my article or story, pretty soon, it would be a mess - not at all like I originally intended it to be. And the truth is, the tone, style, and needs of every magazine is different. Listen: just because your work is rejected, does not mean it's bad. It probably just means it isn't what they're looking for at this time.

Three pieces of advice on submitting:

1. More eyes. Get your article or story critiqued by two or three trusted writers (no, your mother does not count). If one person comments on something they think should be changed or improved, go with your gut. If two or all of them comment on the same thing, go with the consensus.

2. Hit Send. Again. And again. If you get a standard rejection form, which may or may not include a comment from the editor about why your work was rejected - by them - take a couple minutes to wallow, then send it out again. Continue this process until the piece has been rejected at least 5 times. At that point, it may be worth another look at your work. You may want to find three new crit buddies to send it to for review. Not because the others didn't know what they were talking about, but to get fresh perspective.

3. Read those submission guidelines...carefully! Word count, types of articles published, query or full manuscript, editor's name...if you don't follow the guidelines to a T, you will be seen as sloppy and unprofessional. Taking the time to note exactly how to submit may be the key. And it may be what separates the rejected from the accepted.

Now go forth and submit!

How to Submit Greeting Card Copy

I have been receiving more questions than usual lately on how to go about submitting to greeting card companies. I guess there are a lot of greeting card copy writers out there! This can be a very lucrative business, especially for those of you who write quickly. Think about it: if it takes you 1/2 an hour to write copy for one card, even if a company only pays $15 for it, you're essentially making $30 an hour. Not bad!

The good news is, many greeting card companies pay much more than this. I received $200 for the cards I had published by Blue Mountain Arts. The amount they pay writers has since increased to $300 per poem!

The not-so-good news is most companies purchase All Rights. This means that the copy now belongs to them and you cannot use it again for any reason. One of my cards has been circulating nationally for over 10 years. In that amount of time, I'm thinking they made a lot of money on my card. In that sense, I made squat. LoL. Royalties definitely would have been nice. But that's just not how the greeting card business works.

So this past week, someone asked me about how to submit and wondered if I would post a sample query letter. So below you'll find a query letter I used recently to submit a few verses. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant, just a brief letter introducing yourself and what you're submitting. Of course, each company has a different set of guidelines, so the best advice I can give you is to READ THE GUIDELINES CAREFULLY before submitting anything. Sally Stuart's Christian Writers' Market Guide has a whole section dedicated to greeting cards and specialty products. This is an excellent resource and I highly recommend purchasing a copy of this guide. Many companies also have their submissions guidelines posted on their website.

To get you started, here is a previous blog post with several links to potential greeting card markets: GREETING CARD GUIDELINES

In the meantime, here is a sample e-query, to which I attached my submissions - each verse in a separate document.

Hello USE SPECIFIC NAME, IF AVAILABLE,

Per your writer's guidelines in the Christian Writer's Market Guide, I am submitting five of my greeting card copy for your review. I have had three poems published by Blue Mountain Arts, and also have three which were recently purchased by DaySpring that have not yet been printed. I would love for my work to be considered by NAME OF COMPANY.

Your guidelines did not specify how to submit, so I hope it is okay to send each one as a separate attachment. If you would rather have me include the copy in the body of an email, I would be happy to resend.

Thanks so much for taking the time to consider my work. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Lynda Schab


See what I mean? Short, sweet, to the point.

Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to let me know!