Friday, July 3, 2026

SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHING - NEWSLETTER July 2026

 



Content of this newsletter
:


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

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Hello Friends, 

Welcome to the July Newsletter with lots of useful tips for writers and publishers:



  • PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS


Self-Publishers:  ISBN Numbers and How to Get One


Selling your e-book on Amazon doesn’t necessarily require one, but it will, as soon as you start a print version. Any book on your bookshelf or in book stores has an ISBN, required by publishers and book distributors.


ISBN is the International Standard Book Number, a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies books published anywhere in the world. The five parts of an ISBN are:

  • group or country identified
  • publisher identifier
  • title identifier
  • and the check digit

ISBN numbers are assigned by a group of agencies worldwide coordinated by the International ISBN Agency in London, England. http://www.isbn-international.org/agency

In the United States, ISBNs are assigned by the U.S. ISBN Agency R.R. Bowker is the independent agent in the US for this system.  You can apply for an ISBN online. On average, it takes about two weeks for ISBN’s to be assigned.

The publisher registration fee is US $24.95 plus a service fee that starts at $225.00 for 10 ISBNs.  There’s also a $25 annual fee for each publisher, so whether you have one ISBN or a thousand, you’ll have to pay that additional amount too.


Where to order ISBN’s :

USA
http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/us/secureapp.asp
See prices above


United Kingdom & Ireland
http://www.isbn.nielsenbook.co.uk/controller.php?page=121
10 ISBN = £118.68


Australia
http://www.thorpe.com.au/isbn/
Single ISBN=Australian $40.00 and a block of 10 ISBNs=$80.00


Canada
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/ciss-ssci/041002-2000-e.html


The application process is simple and FREE of charge – but only if you are living in Canada.


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Tips for Writing Consistently

Cross-post to gain a diverse readership

https://medium.com/the-shortform/tips-to-writing-consistently-bfd7beaf626f

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How ProWritingAid Can Save You Money When Self-Editing Your Book

https://writingandwellness.com/2024/01/15/how-prowritingaid-can-save-you-money-when-self-editing-your-book/

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How to Write Successful Queries for Any Genre of Writing:  

What elements go into a query letter, and 39 real examples of query letters 

that have worked for writers with commentary from their agents

https://www.writersdigest.com/publishing-insights/how-to-write-successful-queries-for-any-genre-of-writing

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  • PAID CONTENT


WineMaker 

This magazine is for anyone who is interested in making wine, from those starting out with kits to more advanced winemakers who use fresh fruit. We seek articles that are straightforward and factual, not full of esoteric theories or complex calculations. We count on our writers to provide illustrations with articles. Our pay scale ranges from $75 to $300, depending on the length and complexity of the article as well as the experience of the writer. We buy all rights, and payment is made upon publication of the article.

https://winemakermag.com/writers-guidelines

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LINUX Magazine
Linux Magazine is looking for authors to write articles on Linux and the tools of the Linux environment. We like articles on useful solutions that solve practical problems. Articles are usually about 800 words per page, although code listings and images will reduce this.

https://www.linux-magazine.com/About-Us/Write-for-Us

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Raconteur
From the rise of the four-day work week to supply chain risk to the journey to net zero, we want to tell the stories impacting leaders and driving change in the business world. Pieces tend to be between 1,000 and 1,200 words, although they can go up to 2,000. ALSO...We are always in need of freelance writers to work on commercial content. If you’d like more information about this, please email freelance@raconteur.net and pop ‘commercial content’ in the subject line.

https://www.raconteur.net/write-for-us

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In the Mood Magazine

Nonfiction, poetry. art. "From celebrity personas, to impersonations, to acting school methods, we’re looking for criticism, essays, poetry, and visual art that engages with the concept of performance." Payment $300 CAD. 

Deadline July 20

https://www.inthemoodmagazine.com/about

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Diabolical Plots

Science fiction, fantasy and horror up to 3,500 words. Payment 10 cents/word. Deadline July 27, 2026.

https://www.diabolicalplots.com/guidelines/



Splinter Journal

Poetry, fiction, memoir, nonfiction (pitches only). Profiles (pays AUD900), essays pays AUD900), writing about writing (pays AUD500), criticism (pays AUD700), and completed submissions of poetry (pays AUD250/poem or AUD450/collection of up to four poems, fiction (pays AUD900), and memoir (pays AUD600). Deadline July 30

https://splinterjournal.com/submissions





  • WRITING CONTESTS


Kari Howard Fund for Narrative Journalism

Open to women and non-binary journalists. Narrative Journalism. Prize: $5,000. Deadline July 12

https://iwmf.submittable.com/submit

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Essay Contest (Canada)

The award will offer $5,000 to one writer whose winning essay explores an issue of pressing interest to Canadians.

The opportunity is open to permanent residents and citizens of Canada with less than five years of professional experience.

Applications must be submitted by July 15

https://thewalrus.ca/mansbridge-essay

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The Burlington Contemporary Art Writing Prize

Entrants must have published no more than six pieces of writing in print or online prior to their submission. Genre Review of a contemporary art exhibition. Prize £1,000. Deadline July 20

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

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Landfall Essay Competition

Open to New Zealand writers. Essay about New Zealand. Prize $3,000 and a year’s subscription to Landfall. Deadline July 31

https://oup.nz/competitions/

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Pride Award for Emerging LGBTQIA+ Crime Writers

An unpublished work of crime fiction, aimed at readers from children’s chapter books through adults. This may be a short story or the first chapter(s) of a manuscript in progress of 2,500 to 5,000 words. Prize $2,000. Deadline July 31

https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/Pride

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


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Monday, June 1, 2026

SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHING — NEWSLETTER June 2026


Photo: Shutterstock


Content of this newsletter
:

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

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Welcome to the June Newsletter! 
Read about the most profitable writing contests of the year, about fellowships, and well-paid content writing.

  • PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS

A great Marketing idea for every Writer:

Pitch Your Knowledge and “How-to” Articles to Newspapers and Magazines!

Consider offering the content you have already written to re-write your article somewhat and propose it to trade magazines in your profession. What would be the benefit?

At least you can place a link to your website — which means: it is free marketing for your brand name and your company — and your article is often paid! It shows readers you are a knowledgeable, trustworthy person.

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How to Write Successful Queries for Any Genre of Writing:

What elements go into a query letter, and 39 real examples of query letters that have worked for writers with commentary from their agents 
 https://www.writersdigest.com/publishing-insights/how-to-write-successful-queries-for-any-genre-of-writing

Photo: Shutterstock


  • WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS

Muses & Melanin
 Designed for talented California creative writers of color who aspire to become professional authors, this 7-month Fellowship is geared for people who do not yet have a lengthy list of publishing credits, are not under a publishing contract, do not have literary agent representation, and do not have a doctoral degree in English, Creative Writing, or Literature. A Bachelor’s degree is required. Accepting applications in creative nonfiction, memoir, articles, and essays from applicants who are local or able to commute to the San Francisco Bay Area. Deadline June 12

https://musesandmelanin.carrd.co/

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The Book Project
This is a two-year program for serious writers. The Book Project is an intensive, two-year program aimed at giving writers of book-length manuscripts the classes, advice, and moral support they need to draft, revise, and — most importantly — finish. Tuition is $8,950 per year but two fellowships can be applied to “The Book Project” to partially or fully cover tuition: the Book Project Fellowship and the Nighthawk Nature Writing Fellowship. Deadline June 22

https://lighthousewriters.org/mentorship/book-project

https://lighthousewriters.org/content/book-project-fellowships





  • PAID CONTENT

Rova
Are you a road-tripper, a US travel nut, a writer extraordinaire, an RV aficionado? Writers and photographers will be paid a flat rate of $200 per article/photo essay subject to acceptance for publication.
https://www.rovamag.com/be-a-contributor

BBC Science
The Science Focus Magazine is looking for new freelance writers — both feature writers and shift writers. News, discoveries, ideas and innovations to keep you up-to-speed with the complexities of the fast-moving world around us and how truly awesome science can be! Rates depend on word count/required interviews, but are around £300-£1000 (1000–2500 words).

https://www.sciencefocus.com/bbc-science-focus-magazine-1

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New York Times
Personal essay about love. Payment: $300 — $500. Deadline: June 30, 2026.
https://www.nytimes.com/article/how-to-submit-a-modern-love-essay.html

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The New Quarterly
Restrictions: Open to Canadian writers. Genre: Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry. Payment: $100 to $400. Deadline: June 30. https://tnq.ca/submit/




  • WRITING CONTESTS


Australian Fiction Prize
Open to Australian writers. Genre: adult fiction between 75,000 and 100,000 words. Prize: A publishing contract with HarperCollins to publish your work including an advance against royalties of AUD$15,000. 
Deadline June 15
https://harpercollins.com.au/pages/the-australian-fiction-prize-faq

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Writer’s Trust Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S + Emerging Writers
Open to Canadian LGBTQ+ writers. Debut book published between April 15, 2026 and September 30, 2026. Prize: $12,000. Deadline: June 24
https://www.writerstrust.com/awards/dayne-ogilvie-prize

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Dave Greber Freelance Writers Brook and Magazine Awards for Social Justice Writing
Nonfiction books and articles. Prize: $5,000 for books, $2,000 for articles. Open to “continuing residents of Canada” who at the date of application have “lived in Canada for the last twelve months” and who are “working a minimum of seventy per cent of their work time as a self-employed freelance writer.” Deadline: June 26

https://www.greberwritingaward.com/call-for-submissions

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Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest
Stories must be between 1,500 and 5,000 words long. Entries should be character- or plot-driven pieces in any genre of fiction. $1,000 and publication for first place. Each runner-up receives $200 and publication. $10 Entry fee. Deadline July 1
https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/fiction-contest/

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Photo by the author of this article

Have a wonderful June — enjoy summer and the longest days of the year.

And think about it: there is almost no profession that cannot give advice to magazine and newspaper readers — and at the same time show your business’ name (and website link) to potential clients. Additionally, you might often be paid for your article by the publishing house.





Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Coming Soon … #3 in the Book Series: Pilot Job Search Dream Job Pilot?

 


Flying is a rewarding career, both financially and in terms of job satisfaction, making an airline pilot career highly desirable. There is a wide range of opportunities available in aviation careers, offering various pathways for growth and advancement.

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In “Dream Job Pilot?” Part 1 of this series (Chapters 22 to 37) is a variety of pilot positions, explained in detail. Positions such as Test Pilots, Cargo Pilots, Survey Pilots, Rescue Pilots, Ferry Pilots, Arial Photo Pilots, Military Pilots, or Bush Pilots. 

In Part 2 of this three-series book, all the paths to becoming a professional pilot have been explained in detail. Not only pilot training in the United States, but also in Europe, the UK, Australia, South Africa, and the Middle East are listed — including training requirements and medical details.

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In Part 3 of this three-book series, pilots will learn — among other things — about:

  • Pilot career considerations and career steps
  • How and where to find open pilot positions
  • Where to find the “hidden” pilot jobs
  • How important are networks in aviation?
  • Differences between airline and corporate flight positions
  • How to prepare and meet the requirements of airlines or corporate jet companies
  • How to submit a perfect cover letter, CV, and all the necessary attachments
  • Your personal presentation at interviews
  • Hundreds of job addresses, airlines, and flight departments are included in this valuable pilot position search guide.

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What Airlines Look for in Pilots:

Exceed minimum qualifications: Aim to surpass the basic requirements set by airlines.

Demonstrate leadership: Effective communication and leadership skills are essential on the flight deck.

Passion for flying: Airlines look for candidates who are truly passionate about aviation.

Maintain professionalism: Your reputation, including your social media presence, can impact your chances.

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Networking

In a small industry, your reputation precedes you. Networking allows you to build a reputation as a safe, reliable, and professional pilot before you even apply for a job. If a company shuts down or pilots are furloughed, a solid network ensures you have connections at other companies to turn to for new opportunities.

Connect with CFIs: Your flight instructors are your first industry contact; keeping in touch with them can lead to future job opportunities.

Work at an FBO: Working at a Fixed Base Operator (fueling planes, etc.) is a great way to meet corporate pilots and charter operators.

Attend Industry Events: Conferences and airshows (AOPA, NBAA, EAA) are prime opportunities to meet industry leaders.

Utilize LinkedIn: A professional LinkedIn profile is invaluable for staying connected with peers.

Be Professional with Everyone: Treat flight instructors, mechanics, and maintenance crews with respect; they are key connectors.

Research Airlines and Flight Departments: Be proactive in your research. Look at the latest airline orders — which airlines are expanding, and when are they expecting to take delivery of their new aircraft?

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Important: Network and Build Pilot Contacts

The aviation industry is a small world. You never know who you are going to bump into again throughout your career and who might be able to help you out on the way. Regardless of your training background, stay in contact with the fellow aviators you meet and old class friends.

Keep track of which airlines they are applying/interviewing/working for, as they might be able to provide you with valuable information or even recommend you for a job a few years down the line. Speak to them on a regular basis — working together and sharing information increases everyone’s chances. Stay in Touch!

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Available in June as an ebook and in print


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