SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHING - NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2025
Content of this newsletter:
- PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS
- WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
- PAID CONTENT
- WRITING CONTESTS
As you step into this new month, let this October newsletter inspire and uplift you. Whether you're seeking motivation, happiness, or hope: these news and tips are here to guide you.
- PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS
Some tips from me and other writers:
Want more retweets and spread the word about the launch of your new bestseller book?
Followers want content that is credible, intelligent, and valuable.
More than 70% of retweeted content is about news, and more than 50% of re-tweeted content is either instructional or entertainment-related. Think books!
If you have something valuable to share, you probably want as many people as possible to spread that content or message, and simply asking others to re-tweet that content can be an effective way to generate more re-tweets from other Twitter users. Using the words “Please Re-Tweet” will generate 4x more re-tweets.
Your content is less likely to be re-tweeted if it is centered only around your products and services. When tweeting, keep in mind the information your target audience craves and the problems they need to solve, and tweet that type of content most.
- WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
Albee Residency
The Barn hosts a year-round residency program designed to offer space to four creative persons for calendar-month-long periods. Writers and Visual Artists receive a generously sized ensuite bedroom (individually, of course) and private studios. The communal library is also really really cool. So is the eat-in kitchen. And the patio. As of 2025 we are providing financial assistance in the amount of $2,500 per Fellow, which will be disbursed upon completion of the residency period. Deadline October 13
https://www.albeefoundation.org/guidelines--submitting.html
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Grand Marais Art Residencies
The Art Colony provides artists with self-guided work space in professional studios set on Minnesota’s North Shore. An environment of creative freedom supports the process and development of new works, allowing for a combination of aesthetic inquiry, creative risk-taking, experimentation, and artistic development. There are no outcome requirements. Open to artists based anywhere in the world. Deadline October 17
https://grandmaraisartcolony.slideroom.com/#/login/program/63320
- PAID CONTENT
Offrange
Farming and ranching are our primary focus, but Offrange also publishes stories about fisheries, meat production, natural resources, and public lands. Offrange rates will vary depending on writer experience and the complexity of a particular story, but generally fall between $0.50 and $1.00 a word.
https://ambrook.com/offrange/writing-for-us
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Capital And Main
Founded in 2013, Capital & Main reports on inequities related to class, race, immigration, gender, corporate accountability, climate change and energy, education, and health, both in California and nationally. Our stories are co-published in a wide range of outlets, including USA Today, Newsweek, the Guardian, Fast Company and the American Prospect. In 2020, Capital & Main produced the largest American reporting project on inequality, with nearly 100 stories over the course of 12 months.
https://app.qwoted.com/job_postings/capital-main-pitches-remote-7738efb7-9035-49b5-be74-21375aa725bc
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Wayword Media
They are always looking for freelance travel stories to commission for the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest daily print newspaper, and one of the country’s biggest online news sites. Stories typically range from 600 to 1,000 words and should go beyond straightforward travelogues, offering readers sharp, specific angles and fresh perspectives. Pitches should be concise and targeted, not full drafts. Accepted articles generally pay $300–$500 CAD inclusive of photos, with payment made within 30 days of final acceptance.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NkXSDAH0ladPGaETCESPwLT5q4Pe2bAIyKWMb0ehYGw/edit?tab=t.0
- WRITING CONTESTS
Money Chronicles Contest
Principal Foundation believes sharing stories about experiences with money is an important stepping stone to building a more financially secure future.
The winner will receive a $1000 honorarium, and each finalist will also receive an honorarium of $150. NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 12
https://short-edition.com/en/contest/principal-2025
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Dora Maar Cultural Center Residencies
There is one Admission cycle per year, March 1st-October 15th, for residencies in the following year from March through November. The Dora Maar Cultural Center, located in the Dora Maar House and Hotel de Tingry in Ménerbes, France, offers artists’ residencies for individuals of exceptional vision to produce enduring works of art, literature, and scholarship. Deadline October 15
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WOW! Women on Writing
They are seeking creative nonfiction on any topic (1000 words or less) and in any style--from personal essay and memoir to lyric essay and hermit crab, and more. The mission of this contest is to reward bravery in real-life storytelling and create an understanding of our world through thoughtful, engaging narratives. Limit 300 entries. 1st Place: $500, publication, interview, and gift code good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store. 2nd Place: $300, publication, interview, and gift code good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store. 3rd Place: $200, publication, interview, and gift code good for one item from CreateWriteNow's Store. $12 Entry fee. Deadline October 31
https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php#EssayContest
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The Bedford Competition
Short story and poetry prizes, each category – £2000, £300, £200. Also, National Cygnature Competition Prizes are open to young writers worldwide aged 17-25 years. The Bedford short story and poetry prizes are open to those residing in the Bedford, UK area. (see competition rules for eligible postcodes). All submissions are entered in the Main Prize. Stories are maximum 3,000 words. Entries can be from anywhere in the world. £8.50 Entry Fee. Deadline Oct 31
https://bedfordwritingcompetition.co.uk/
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Commonwealth Short Story Prize
Commonwealth citizens aged 18 and over can enter a short story of 2000-5000 words for a chance to win £5,000. One of the regional winners is then selected as the overall winner, who receives £5,000. The regional winners will receive £2,500. All five regional winning stories will be published on Granta.
No Entry Fee. Deadline November 1
https://commonwealthfoundation.com/short-story-prize/
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Chicken Soup - Heaven and Angels
We know that everyone has stories about miracles, angels, messages from heaven, premonitions, amazing coincidences, and other unexplainable but good events that have happened to them. We are looking for powerful, astounding stories that will make people say "wow" or ask" how did that happen?" or give them chills. This book is for everyone, whether religious or non-religious. Limit 1200 words. You will receive a check for $250 and 10 free copies of the book.
Deadline January 15
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Chicken Soup for the Soul - The Spirit of Christmas
Please submit your true stories about the entire November and December holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year's festivities too. Remember that these holiday titles do make wonderful gifts for everyone on your list! Limit 1200 words. First person only. Pays $250 and 10 copies of the book. Deadline February 28
October is a time of change. I hope you found something interesting and helpful in this month’s newsletter. “I wish every day would be Saturday and every month were October.”
~ Charmaine J. Forde
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