SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHING NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2024

 

Content of this newsletter

• WRITING CONTESTS
• TIPS FOR WRITERS & SELF-PUBLISHERS
• WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
• FREELANCE WRITING

With only four weeks left in the year, how's your writing and reading going?  Get a lot of new ideas and encouragement for the next twelve months in this December Newsletter.  Apply for one or more of the writing contests and grants listed here or find well-paid freelance writing jobs:

• WRITING CONTESTS

Exeter Novel Prize

First prize - £1000 plus trophy. It is open to all authors anywhere who are without representation by a literary agent at the closing date, whether or not they have previously been published. All genres are accepted. Include a synopsis of not more than five hundred words.  

£20 Entry Fee.  Deadline Dec 30

https://www.creativewritingmatters.co.uk/2024-exeter-novel-prize.html

Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence

Emerging African American writers. 

Short story collection or novel published in the current year. Prize: $10,000. 

Deadline: Dec 31

https://ernestjgainesaward.org/criteria

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Hooks Institute National Book Award

A Nonfiction book that best furthers understanding of the American Civil Rights Movement and its legacy. 

Prize: $1000. Deadline: Dec 31

https://www.memphis.edu/benhooks/programs/bookawardnominations.php

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StoryShares
This year, $15,000 in cash prizes are up for grabs, in addition to publication in both digital and print form. Winning stories and those selected as runners-up will be included in the StoryShares library, which is currently serving tens of thousands of students in all 50 states and 180 countries. Entry is free, unlimited, and open internationally.  No Entry Fee.  Deadline Jan 13, 2025

https://app.storyshares.org/contest/

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JIM BAEN MEMORIAL SHORT STORY AWARD
One entry only. The National Space Society and Baen Books applaud the role that science fiction plays in advancing real science and have teamed up to sponsor this short fiction contest in memory of Jim Baen. Write a short story of no more than 8,000 words, that shows the near future of manned space exploration. Entries can be from any country.  

No Entry Fee.  Deadline Feb 1, 2025

https://www.baen.com/contest-jbmssa

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TIPS FOR WRITERS & SELF-PUBLISHERS

How to Price an Ebook:

7 Questions to Help You Decide

https://makealivingwriting.com/how-much-should-you-charge-for-your-e-book-7-questions/

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The 3 Best Platforms for New Writers
Build your solo business in 2025

https://link.medium.com/7AF133yvGOb

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• WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS

Prairie Ronde Artist Residency
We’re looking for individuals who are highly independent, engaged and curious. The stipend is $2,000 for 5 – 6 weeks, a $500 travel grant and private housing. Residents share their work with the community (a gallery show, public workshop or other). Location Vicksburg, Michigan. Application Fee is US$25.  Deadline Dec 17

https://prairierondeartistresidency.com/about/apply/

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The Creative.Inspired.Happy Scholarship

This Mid-Career Writing Scholarship is a scholarship for an aspiring writer not currently in a professional writing career, for use toward furthering their education in writing, such as continuing education or community college courses on writing. This scholarship is open to aspiring writers in any field, including fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. Two winners each receive $1,000.  Deadline Dec 30 

https://bold.org/scholarships/creative-inspired-happy-mid-career-writing-scholarship/

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Tofte Lake Center

This year we are offering two Individual Artist Residencies. These residencies are focused on individual artists and/or small collaborative teams of all disciplines (literary, performing, and visual arts) who wish to create work in the natural environment and in community with other artists in all stages of their career. There is also time for play and rejuvenation - all in support of each artist’s goals, needs, and interests. Lodging is provided.  Deadline Dec 31

https://www.toftelake.org/2025residencies

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Tennessee Arts Fellowships

Fellowships provide those individuals who by education, experience, or natural talent engage in a particular art form or discipline, and live and work in Tennessee. To qualify, an artist must be financially compensated for his or her work, and this compensation must be a significant source of support for their livelihood.  Grants $5,000.  Deadline Jan 21, 2025

https://tnartscommission.org/grants/individual/

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Vermont Artist Development Grants
Artist Development Grants support Vermont artists at all stages of their careers. Grants can fund activities that enhance mastery of an artist’s craft or skills or that increase the viability of an artist’s business. Also new this year, Flood Relief Funding. If the 2024 flooding significantly and adversely affected your ability to produce, perform, and/or market your work, and created a need for immediate relief funds and/or assistance, check for this separate category. Grants are up to $2,000, and there are two grant rounds each year.  Deadline Jan 28, 2025

https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/find-a-grant/artists/artist-development/

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An Article Worth to Read

Realities That Authors Don’t Want to Hear 

The average successful author on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Apple, etc. makes up to ten times more money than the average author with a publishing deal.  Having a traditional publishing deal now means you probably don’t write books worthy of self-publication. Read this eye-opening article: 5 Realities Authors Don’t Want to Hear 

https://easywaytowrite.blogspot.com/2017/09/5-new-realities-authors-dont-want-to.html

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• FREELANCE WRITING

The Mill
For most of our publications, they pay around £200 for a quick-hit and approximately £300 for something more reported and we also have the budget to pay significantly more for highly investigative stories that take months of work. Mill Media is leading a renaissance in high-quality journalism across the UK.

https://millmediaco.uk/write/

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The Objective
Payment is $0.50 a word, though particular projects may have special rates. We split our stories between news and commentary, and have five sub-categories for stories: Media Workers, Community Engagement, International Context, Story Frame, and Language. We are also accepting submissions for our Civic Media Series with Free Press and members of the Future of Local News Collective.

https://objectivejournalism.org/pitch-us/

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Modern South
We're here to spotlight all the things that make the American South great: those sweet Southern traditions like twinkling lightning bugs and all things toile print, while also celebrating all the wonderful, refreshing things we bring to the table in modern America. We're rocket scientists and farmers, miracle workers and teachers, whiskey aficionados and musicians, entrepreneurs and caretakers, and everything in between. Paying $150-$200 per story depending on word count and the amount of research/interviews needed. Pitches to hello@modernsouthmag.com

https://modernsouthmag.com/

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Wealth of Geeks
Stories about traveling are some of the oldest tales in human history, and we’re looking for the next generation of travel writers. We seek first-hand travel stories and bizarre yet captivating stories about your adventures. We are also open to breaking news articles from the travel industry and the changing tides that affect travelers around the world. Starting rates are around $250 for 700 to 900-word articles.

https://wealthofgeeks.com/

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Pipeline Artists
Looking for pieces that highlight unspoken truths, provide honest advice, and profile "emerging" creatives or those deserving of a platform they may not find in mainstream publications. Also ridiculous humor pieces—sometimes the world needs ridiculous humor.  Pays roughly $350. 

https://pipelineartists.com/submission-guidelines/

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A Great Overview of Social Media:

The 8 Best Twitter Alternatives in 2025 - Even if You Haven’t Been a Twitter User Before

https://zapier.com/blog/twitter-alternatives/

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Why Write on Substack or Medium?

The publishing ecosystem can no longer depend on the same media coverage that worked 5-10 years ago because that ecosystem has dramatically changed.  Many buyers and salespeople don’t know the editorial value of Substack newsletters (and other newsletters).  They are still looking for the same old plans, including print, radio, blogs, and influencer outreach. This must change, and fast.

Why Medium or Substack are Essential to Every Book Publisher’s PR Strategy.  Media is shifting, and book publishing must shift, too.

https://kathleenschmidt.substack.com/p/why-substack-is-essential-to-every

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Book Publishing and the Media are Misaligned 

The average author must know what they are up against so they can manage expectations. “Let’s be more creative.”

https://kathleenschmidt.substack.com/p/book-publishing-and-the-media-are

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Looking back to the last 12 months and also forward to the new year, let’s be thankful for all the positive things we got and experienced. 

I wish you a great December and a very Merry Christmas and Chanukah.

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SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHING: November Newsletter

 

Content of this newsletter

• WRITING CONTESTS
• WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
• FREELANCE WRITING

Hello, fellow writers 

Just like me you might be exhausted by the election, the move to standard time, or the planning of the upcoming holidays and how the marketing plan outcome is for your books.  Don’t let it overwhelm you!

Give yourself some well-earned hours (or days) of relaxing time before the holiday countdown. See the many possibilities how writing and publishing can work in other fields than just books.

There are many benefits for authors to participate in writing contests and awards:

• The award website usually posts a list of participating books and names of authors
• It gives you a great opportunity to talk on social media & your blog or website about your participation
• Some contests even seek votes publicly over the internet, additionally to the jury
• Literary awards such as Dzanc Books/Guernica have very attractive prizes, such as travel to Europe and a scholarship
  

If you win or be short-listed in an award you certainly can use this fact to advertise for and print it on your book's cover, or even place a badge on it and on any promotional material, including your website or blog, casting a positive light on your book. 

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• WRITING CONTESTS

ServiceScape Short Story Award
For this award, any genre or theme of short story is accepted. All applicants should submit their original unpublished work of short fiction or nonfiction, 5,000 words or fewer, to be considered. Along with receiving an award for $1,000.00 USD, the winner will have his or her short story featured within our blog, which reaches thousands of readers per month.

No entry fee. Deadline Nov 30

https://www.servicescape.com/short-story-award

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Minotaur/Malice Prize for Traditional Fiction
The Competition is open to any writer, regardless of nationality, aged 18 or older, who has never been the author of any Published Mystery Novel (including self-published works and ebooks). All Manuscripts submitted: a) must be original works of book length (no less than approximately 65,000 words) written in the English language.  

No Entry Fee. Deadline Nov 30

https://us.macmillan.com/minotaurbooks/submitmalicedomesticmanuscript/

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Story Unlikely Short Story Contest

There are no restrictions on genre: fantasy, sci-fi, memoir, fiction/nonfiction, etc. Limit 4,000 words (5,000 for members). There are no restrictions on age or location of participant. $1,500 first place, $1,000 second place, $500 third place. The winning story will be featured on Story Unlikely's website, will be strongly considered for our annual (print) sample magazine, and may be sent out as the bonus story for signing up, which means a lot of exposure to the winner. All three placing stories will be published in the monthly issue, and all three will be illustrated. To be eligible for the contest, all writers must be signed up to Story Unlikely's monthly issue.  No Entry Fee. Deadline Jan 31, 2025

https://www.storyunlikely.com/#contest

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DISQUIET Literary Prize

Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry winners will be published; one grand prize winner will receive tuition, lodging, and travel stipend to attend DISQUIET summer literary program in Lisbon. Cash prize available in lieu of travel. 

Reading fee: $15. Deadline: Jan 6, 2025
https://disquietinternational.org/the-program/contests-scholarships/the-disquiet-prize/

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ARC Poetry Contest

Arc’s annual poetry contest is among the richest in the country, offering $5,000 for the winning poem, a $500 award for the poem selected as Honourable Mention, and a $250 prize for the Readers’ Choice selection. In addition, all 10 to 12 shortlisted poems receive paid publication in Arc and online. The length of each poem must not exceed 100 lines.

$40 CAD Entry Fee. Deadline Feb 1, 2025

https://arcpoetry.ca/contest/poem-of-the-year/

• WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS

Writing Between the Vines Co-Residences

Collaborate on shared projects, or work individually. Edit a work in progress, craft a book proposal, or simply take a walk in the vineyard and get inspired. Three locations are eligible for co-residency retreats in 2025.  Deadline Nov 13

https://www.writingbetweenthevines.org/2025

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Essere Residency 

This is a self-directed program designed to encourage the creative and personal growth of writers, artists and creatives of all disciplines at any stage of their career or personal self-expression. Days are free to explore your creative vision and share perspectives with artists of different ages and cultures from all over the world. Evenings we come together for inspiring, instructional talks by the Artists in Residence on topics of relevance to all. These talks are followed by a delicious 3-course dinner and wine prepared by our local chef. Address: Private Estate in Cetona, Province of Siena, Italy. There is a Special Fellowship for Emerging Voices ($1,000) available to a writer (of any discipline) who is new in their field - playwrights, screenwriter, songwriters, poets, fiction writers, journalists you name it.  Deadline Nov 20.  $30 Application Fee.

https://essereresidency.org/apply/

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FOLKIST Space Residencies

At Folkist Space, our definition of folk art is creative work with its roots in, or branches into, the everyday lives of regular working people. The folk art we love spans genres, mediums, and cultures, but is always rooted in the urgent aliveness of folks who are not separate from the world but fully immersed in it. From textile arts to creative non-fiction, traditional music and dance, documentary photography, theatre arts, and more, we're looking for all kinds of creative folks. Each selected artist resident will receive an unrestricted $500 stipend, and studio space at the Art Center for the week of their stay. Location Clinton NY.

https://folkist.space/residency

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Hypatia in the Woods Residencies
They welcome applications for residencies from women in the arts – broadly defined to include visual, written, and performing arts, as well as other similar forms of creative expression – in entrepreneurship and in academic professions. Location Shelton, WA.  Application deadlines are quarterly: February 15 (for 2025 October-November-December)

https://hypatiainthewoods.org/

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• FREELANCE WRITING

CBC
First Person columns are personal stories and experiences of Canadians, in their own words. This is intended to showcase a more intimate storytelling perspective, and allow people from across the country to share what they have lived through. Limit 600 to 700 words. CBC Edmonton specifically pays $560 flat rate for a First Person piece.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/first-person-faq-1.5927006
https://x.com/cbcthandiwe

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BestColleges
As a freelance financial aid writer for BestColleges, you will craft original content covering a variety of financial topics relevant to higher education, including blog posts and resource guides related to planning and saving for college, paying for college and college budgeting, applying for financial aid, types of financial aid, loan refinancing and consolidation, etc. Additional opportunities to cover general higher education topics (degrees, career planning, student life, etc.) if desired. Compensation starts at $100 for every 500 words.

https://boards.greenhouse.io/rvedufreelancenetwork/jobs/3483117

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Type Investigations

A nonprofit newsroom that is dedicated to transforming the field of independent investigative journalism. We cover the most urgent stories within a wide range of topic areas, including racial and economic justice, climate and environmental health, and civil and human rights. Our work is focused on systems, policies, and powerful entities, and we are committed to elevating stories from the communities most affected by wrongdoing. Written features generally run between 3,000 and 5,000 words — though we do publish articles that are shorter and longer. Typical budgets range from $3,000 to $6,000 (including travel and other reporting expenses, as well as the reporting fee).

https://www.typeinvestigations.org/about/how-to-pitch/

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Positive.News
Positive News publishes good journalism about good things. We’re seeking unique pitches for the next quarterly print edition of Positive News magazine and, on an ongoing basis, for www.positive.news. Payment is usually 30p/word.

https://www.positive.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Pitching-guide-for-journalists_2024.pdf

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Current Investigations
We have two publication formats: our print edition and our online edition. Main articles for the print edition are usually around 3000-4500 words, while online articles are usually 1200-2400 words. Current Affairs is 100% free of any advertorials and infotainment (except of the satirical variety), and we publish clever, unique, well-researched stories that rags like the Economist and Time fear to cover. Pays $200 for online and $300 for print.

https://images.currentaffairs.org/2024/04/Writers-Guide.docx.pdf

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Planetizen
Planetizen has led the city and regional planning discourse for more than two decades, offering intrepid thinkers an opportunity to write and publish for an established platform with a large, passionate audience. At our core, we are a community of planning intelligence that seeks to cut across political and disciplinary boundaries while expanding, informing, and empowering the community of people working to improve the built environment. For professional writers (i.e., those for whom writing is their primary source of income), we pay a standard flat fee of $500 per feature or career-related article. 
https://www.planetizen.com/Write-for-Planetizen

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Good Housekeeping

When it comes to freelance pitches, we're interested in long-form narratives, deeply reported service pieces and personal essays that offer a compelling point of view, a personal story behind the news, a unique story rooted in the ideas of house/home or a deep-dive guide into a topic that will help improve readers' everyday lives. 

Pays over thirty cents/word.  

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/about/a37261766/good-housekeeping-freelancers-pitch-guidelines/

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Don't forget this quote by Steve Martin: 
“Writer's block is a fancy term made up by whiners so they can have an excuse to drink alcohol.” 

Have a great day, a productive rest of the month, and a fantastic Thanksgiving.

All the best, Doris

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