SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHING - NEWSLETTER July 2025

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Content of this newsletter:

• PAID CONTENT
• WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
• WRITING CONTESTS
• PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS

Welcome to our July Newsletter! 

To our readers from North America: Enjoy the great events of this month: Canada Day (July 1st) and Independence Day (July 4th), and a relaxing summer month! 

• PAID CONTENT

Chicken Soup for the Soul
Nonfiction: Grandmothers What makes this topic so much fun is that the moment a grandchild is born, a grandmother is born too! And what an amazing experience it is. Everyone has a great story about the unconditional love between grandmothers and their grandchildren. Write a  heartwarming, insightful, and humorous stories celebrating grandmothers. Payment: $200. Deadline: July 15

https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/

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Redacted

What Divorced Women Aren’t Telling You.

Personal essays about the author's experience with divorce as well as shorter form stories. Payment: $125. Deadline: July 31

https://redacted.moksha.io/publication/redacted

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The Media Co-Op

They are publishing articles that are between 600 and 1500 words in length. Payment is $100 to $250, with the higher end of that range reserved for articles that involve more research and more reporting. They are based in Canada, and interested in stories that are about or have some connection to the Canadian context, like Indigenous land and water defence; climate justice; housing, homelessness, and tenant rights; struggles related to policing, state violence, and white supremacy; labour struggles and worker organizing; resisting the far right; grassroots work that is feminist, trans, queer, and/or anti-racist; disability struggles; community organizing; impacts of the Canadian state and Canadian corporations in other countries; and lots more. 

https://mediacoop.ca/contributors2021

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• WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS

Grand Canyon Conservancy

The Artist in Residence program serves the priorities of the National Park Service’s Department of Interpretation and Resource Education including inclusive storytelling and climate change and aims to highlight differing perspectives on this precious natural resource.   Deadline July 15

https://www.grandcanyon.org/experience-grand-canyon/residency-program/artist-in-residence

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Kyoto Retreat

The Kyoto Retreat is a new program created by Japan-based, independent curator Dexter Wimberly. The Kyoto Retreat offers artists, curators, and writers, based anywhere in the world, an opportunity to spend four weeks in Kyoto, Japan, for research, exploration, and inspiration. Individuals selected for the retreat will receive a round-trip flight, a private bedroom, and $800 USD to supplement meals and local transportation. The Kyoto Retreat selects artists, curators, and writers at all career stages, working in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, new media, installation, fiction and nonfiction writing, poetry, interdisciplinary, and social practice. Individuals must be over 21 years old to apply. The inaugural Kyoto Retreat will take place from October 16 to November 13, 2025. 

http://www.kyotoretreat.com

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• WRITING CONTESTS

Burlington Contemporary Art Writing Prize

Entrants must have published no more than six pieces of writing in print or online prior to their submission. Topic: Review of a contemporary art exhibition. Prize: £1,000. Deadline: July 14

https://contemporary.burlington.org.uk/writing_prize

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Books Like Us

First novel. "The Simon & Schuster adult trade imprint is pleased to announce the fourth BOOKS LIKE US First Novel Contest to facilitate accessibility to underrepresented writers and celebrate the diversity of readers across the United States. As the nation continues to strive for progress, Simon & Schuster aims to help catalyze that change by amplifying voices that represent us, by publishing books like us. A two-week entry period will begin on June 30. At that time, writers are invited and encouraged to submit 25 pages of an original adult novel via the form on this page. Prize: In November 2025, the author of the selected novel will be awarded the opportunity to enter into a $50,000 book deal with Avid Reader Press." Deadline: July 14 

https://www.simonandschuster.com/p/avid-first-novel

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Iron Horse Prize

First book of collected prose. Prize: $1000, and the collection will be published in the summer of 2025 by Texas Tech University Press. Deadline: July 15, 2025. Free submissions on July 15 only.   https://www.ironhorsereview.com/ihlrbookprize

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The Governor General’s Literary Award

Books must have been written, translated or illustrated by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Best English-language and the best French-language book will be chosen in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Literary Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Children’s Literature (text), Children’s Literature (illustrated books) and Translation (from French to English). Prize: $25,000. Deadline: July 15

https://canadacouncil.ca/funding/prizes/governor-generals-literary-awards

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• PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS

Writing tips have aided every writer out there—from Ernest Hemingway to Stephen King. What you didn’t know is that you’ll learn a whole lot more than that…

How I’m Now Building My Self-Publishing Business

https://writingandwellness.com/2024/03/06/my-journey-from-traditional-publishing-to-self-publishing-a-story-of-independence/

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7 Simple Tips to Keep Readers Engaged on Your Articles

https://medium.com/write-a-catalyst/no-more-boring-reads-61c5706e6425

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Ernest Hemingway’s brutal letter to F. Scott Fitzgerald on how to write better:  6 crucial lessons for any writer
https://medium.com/@mentalgarden/ernest-hemingways-brutal-letter-to-f-scott-fitzgerald-on-how-to-write-better-16f5870be3b2

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Magazines can be a fantastic way for freelance writers to build their careers and make money by writing.  Here are 50 magazines  that pay for articles:

https://makealivingwriting.com/write-for-magazines/

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Fascinating how so many common review phrases like “propulsive” or “emotional roller coaster” have become clichés that say little about a book’s unique qualities. Makes me rethink how we judge reviews!

The Secret Codes Of Book Critics: The hidden meanings of 25 clichés overused by reviewers that may not help you as a writer

https://medium.com/lit-life/the-secret-codes-of-book-critics-fc6c3830ddd0

And:  https://medium.com/lit-life/the-secret-language-of-book-editors-and-critics-b366c3bf3e84

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Take it easy this month and read a lot.  Every good writer is also an avid reader…  Enjoy this time of the year.  Live is good... Have a wonderful July!

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SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHING - NEWSLETTER June 2025

 

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SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHING - NEWSLETTER June 2025

Content of this newsletter

• PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS
• WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
• HOW TO ORDER A FREE CANADIAN ISBN
• WRITING CONTESTS

Welcome to our June Newsletter! 

Lots of sunshine and the longest days of the year are helping in June to improve our mood and energy. And it is Immigrant Heritage Month.  Write about it this month… No matter if you immigrated or you have friends or relatives who did.

Lots of publishing news in this letter, read on:

• WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS

Kyoto, Japan, Retreat 

It offers artists, curators, and writers, based anywhere in the world, an opportunity to spend four weeks in Kyoto, Japan, for research, exploration, and inspiration.
If selected for the retreat, you will receive a round-trip flight, a private bedroom, and $800 USD to supplement meals and local transportation. We select artists, curators, and writers at all career stages, working in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, new media, installation, fiction and nonfiction writing, poetry, interdisciplinary, and social practice. Individuals must be over 21 years old to apply. Fee 95 USD

The inaugural Kyoto Retreat will take place from October 16 - November 13, 2025.  Deadline July 15

https://kyotoretreat.slideroom.com/#/login/program/82560

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Headlands Center for the Arts

The Artist in Residence (AIR) program awards fully sponsored residencies to approximately 50 local, national, and international artists each year. Residencies of four to ten weeks include studio space, chef-prepared meals, housing, travel, and living expenses. For writers: Writing (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, graphic narrative) submit up to 20 pages of poetry, 30 pages of prose, or one to two full-length plays/scripts. Location Sausalito, CA.   Deadline June 10

 https://www.headlands.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/24_AIR_WebPDF-2.pdf

• HOW TO ORDER A FREE CANADIAN ISBN

New to publishing in Canada? Here is how to order your ISBN:

Please follow this link to log into the system:  

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/isbn-canada/app/index.php?&lang=eng

Here are some instructions to help you assign your ISBNs:

1 – Log into your account

2 – Click MANAGE LOGBOOK

3 – Click ASSIGN NEW ISBN

4 – Input your publication information

(If you need a number for different electronic versions, you need to change the Product Form to "electronic book text", then in the title box at the end of your title indicate your format in brackets). Example: The Green Little Turtle (pdf)

5 – Click the Save button (bottom of the page).

6 – Click MANAGE LOGBOOK again. You will see your new ISBN number

For information on how to assign your ISBNs, please view the HELP page: 

http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/services/isbn-canada/Pages/isbn-canada.aspx#d

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• WRITING CONTESTS

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Genre: "From backyard to barnyard; from couch to coop; from aquatic to aerial; from indoor to outdoor; from fins to fur to feathers - we want to hear about all your pets." Payment: $200.   Deadline June 15

https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/

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Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship for Editorial Writing 

Editorial writing. The Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship was established to enable a mid-career editorial writer or columnist to have time away from daily responsibilities for study and research. Freelancers may also apply. Fellowship: Up to $100,000.  Deadline: June 19

https://www.spj.org/eugene-c-pulliam-fellowship-for-public-service-journalism/

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Giller Prize

Open to books published in Canada in English. Must  be nominated by publisher. Genre: Fiction. Full-length novel or collection of short stories published in English, either originally, or in translation. Prize: $100,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each of the finalists. Deadline: Books published between May 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025 must be received on or before June 20

https://gillerprize.ca/submission-guidelines/

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BLR Prizes 

It awards outstanding writing related to themes of health, healing, illness, the mind, and the body. Winners are published in the spring issue of Bellevue Literary Review. For each genre of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, first prize is $1,000 and honorable mention is $300.   $20 Entry fee.  Deadline July 1   

 https://blreview.org/blr-prizes/

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• FREELANCE WRITING

Trails Magazine 

The focus of Trails is on backpacking and other human/naturally-powered means of sleeping outdoors: bike-packing, canoe camping, even things like rafting or mountaineering are fair game (feel free to be creative with those criteria—we covered “skate-packing” in Issue One). Features range anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 words or longer and we pay anywhere from $0.50 to $2 per word, depending on the difficulty of the story, the writer's experience, and the commitment required.

https://trailsmag.net/pages/contributor-information

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IndigiNews

We want to encourage more Indigenous storytelling! Whether you have years of journalism experience or simply have a story to share, send us your pitch. IndigiNews is focused on relationship-building, uplifting storytelling, trauma-informed practices, and holding colonial institutions to account. We welcome ideas for news stories, feature stories, investigations, arts stories, and op-eds, including photo essays. IndigiNews stories typically range from 500 to 2,000 words. IndigiNews pays freelancers on a sliding scale, usually between $350 and $850, depending on a story’s length, quality of images, depth, and estimated time for completion.    https://indiginews.com/home/work-with-us

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BEACH.COM

At beach.com they are searching for freelance pitches focused on beach destinations and coastal getaways across the globe. Looking for writers with a deep love and knowledge of beach destinations, so make sure your pitch offers a unique perspective and expertise. $250 for 1,500-word articles using exclusively stock images. $300 for 1,500-word articles that include personal images or a mix of stock and personal photos (minimum of 3 high-quality, landscape-oriented images).

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTDH6ipaRVneJzhLgMFmYKNMBFqJ93UR06mFiuQUURap3xpA/viewform

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Have a wonderful June, and enjoy reading, writing, and publishing - maybe even traveling! Take advantage of the early summer mornings. Rise with the sun at 4 a.m. to have two or three quiet hours to write. Maybe you can make it a habit year-round.

Have a great summer!

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