FreelanceWriting.com eNewsletter for Writers and Poets

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Wednesday, April 29, 2015 - In this issue I have included links to new articles that we have published at our site, along with a few new writing and poetry contests, new submission guidelines of publications that pay writers, and special calls for submissions. Since this is a private emailing to my subscribers only, please do not repost this digest online. Okay to CC to a friend or colleague. Thank you, Brian Scott. (C) 2015

We publish four or more articles monthly written by experienced freelance writers. Here are the newest articles. Visit our New Articles section to see all of our recently-published articles.

Writing Your Ecological Autobiography
by Ruth Wilson

People write memoirs or autobiographies for a number of reasons, but one thing we can expect as we go through the process is a deeper understanding of ourselves. As we recall and record our life stories, we learn a great deal about who we are and how we came to be the persons we are. Writing an autobiography can also give us some direction for the future. I found this to be true as I wrote my own autobiography ... (read full article)

7 Portfolio Mistakes that Could Cost You the Gig
by Megan Kutchman

Your writing portfolio is arguably the single most important marketing tool for generating new clients. It can also be a fast track to lose clients if done incorrectly. Because you only get a few seconds of your prospective client's time to make that first impression, your presentation must be flawless ... (read full article)

How to Engage Your Readers with Extraordinary Characters
by JoAnne Marich MacIntyre

It isn't an easy thing, creating characters. It takes patience. You have this story spinning around in your head you want to share; after all, writing a novel is one goal, but getting it published is your ultimate goal.

As a first time novelist, I had to remember an age old adage: the slower you go, the faster you will get there. Haste makes waste.

You must create your characters, especially your principal characters, from the very beginning of your novel ... (read full article)

Have Pen Will Travel: Incentives for Freelance Writers to Earn as They Learn
by Akil Wingate

Writing doesn't have to be a lonely, solitary pursuit, holed away in the confines of your study. It can be an adventure ripe with exotic backdrops perfect for inspiring that next great novel. Getting there is a matter of creativity worthy of your brilliant story arc. There are a number of new incentives for writers to travel and earn while they're at it. Imagine setting up at a beachfront hotel while you finish your great story ... (read full article)

6 Writing Techniques to Start a Travel Article
by Brian Scott (posted at my blog)

Strong travel writing should hook a reader from the very first sentence. Here are six top techniques for opening an accomplished piece of travel writing.

A tried and tested method of opening your travel essay is the anecdote. A short, pithy story that illuminates some of the greater themes or topics in your larger piece, the anecdote is an excellent way to instantly engage the audience ... (read full article)

The other week I had posted an entire digest of new writing and poetry contests, including ones you could enter for free. The digest has over 40 new contests. You can access the digest at this link: https://madmimi.com/s/f33a16

Here are a few more new writing contests that we posted to our Writing and Poetry Contests Database:

1. Prose Story Challenge
Write a story about anything. One thousand word minimum. One month limit. The winner will be decided based on the story, spelling/grammar, and of course, style and feeling. Winner gets $500. Deadline: 05/10/2015. Prizes: $500. Fees: $0.

2. Dave Greber Freelance Writers Awards
The Dave Greber Freelance Writers Awards offers two prizes: one for a book and a second for a magazine article. One prize will be awarded in the sum of $5000 for the book award and $2000 for the magazine article award. Deadline: 06/12/2015. Fees: $0.

3. Brigantine Media's Publish or Perish Contest
Brigantine Media’s Publish or Perish contest seeks authors who can help market their books. The winner of the contest will receive a publishing contract for the book and a $2,000 advance against royalties. Deadline: 08/15/2015. Fees: $0.

4. The ELO Annual Prize
The Electronic Literature Organization sponsors two awards for authors: the N. Katherine Hayles Award for Criticism of Electronic Literature and the Robert Coover Award for a Work of Electronic Literature. The judges will award the first place winner from both contests with a cash prize of $1000. Deadline: 05/05/2015. Fees: $0.

5. Nowhere's Spring Travel Writing Contest
Award-winning literary travel magazine, Nowhere, is teaming up with John Jeremiah Sullivan for the Spring 2015 Travel Writing Contest. The judges are seeking young, old, novice and veteran voices to send us stories that possess a powerful sense of place. Stories can be fiction or nonfiction. Deadline: 07/10/2015. Prizes: $1,000. Fees: $15.

6. Literal Latté Short Shorts Contest
Literal Latté invites writers to submit unpublished shorts, up to 2,000 words each. The judges welcome all styles and subjects. First-place wins $500. Deadline: 06/30/2015. Fees: $10.

7. Hidden River Arts Awards
An annual prize of $1,000 from Hidden River Arts, a literary arts organization in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will be given in the following categories: (1) to the best unpublished short story or novel excerpt (2) the best unproduced full-length play. Deadline: 06/30/2015. Fees: $17.

8. The Idaho Prize
The Idaho Prize is an annual, national competition offering $1,000 plus publication by Lost Horse Press for a book-length poetry manuscript. Mail manuscripts of 48 or more pages of poetry, no more than one poem per page. Deadline: 05/15/2015. Fees: $25.

9. Clive Cussler Adventure Writer's Competition
Sponsored by the Clive Cussler Collector's Society, the Adventure Writer's Competition is looking for new novels in the action-adventure genre. The winner will receive $1000 cash prize and other honors at the Clive Cussler Collector's Society 2015 convention.  Deadline: 07/01/2015. Fees: $25.

10. Quarterly West Novella Contest
The Quarterly West novella contest invites writers to enter a single work of fiction, with a minimum length of 17,000 words and maximum length 35,000 words. The winner will receive $500, 25 author copies. Deadline: 05/15/2015. Fees: $25.

11. Acrostic Poetry Contest
The Acrostic Poetry Contest invites poets to write an acrostic poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word (downwards). The winner receives a $100 cash prize and recognition on our website and Facebook page. Deadline: 05/28/2015.

12. Boston Review Annual Poetry Contest
Boston Review welcomes writers to enter its annual poetry contest. The winning poet will receive $1,500 and have his or her work published in the November/December 2015 issue of Boston Review. Submit up to five unpublished poems, no more than 10 pages total. Deadline: 06/01/2015. Fees: $20.

13. The New Guard Contests in Fiction & Poetry
The New Guard Contests in Fiction & Poetry welcomes writers and poets to enter the Machigonne Fiction Contest or the Knightville Poetry Contest. The judges award two prizes of $1500 each, with publication in The New Guard and two contributor's copies of the literary review. Deadline: 08/20/2015. Fees: $20.

14. Black River Chapbook Competition
Twice each year Black Lawrence Press runs the Black River Chapbook Competition for an unpublished chapbook of poems or short fiction between 16-36 pages in length. The winner will receive book publication, a $500 cash award. Deadline: 05/31/2015. Fees: $15.

15. Akron Poetry Prize
Each year, The University of Akron Press offers the Akron Poetry Prize, a competition open to all poets writing in English. The winning poet receives $1,500 and publication of his or her book. Deadline: 06/15/2015. Fees: $25.

16. The Brighthorse Prize
The Brighthorse Book Prize is an annual awards series honoring unpublished novels, collections of short fiction, and poetry collections. In addition to the $1,000 prize and publication in each category, the winning writers will split net profits on book sales. Deadline: 08/16/2015. Fees: $25.

17. Guy Owen Award
The Guy Owen Award invites writers to submit 3-5 poems (10 pages maximum). Winning poet receives a cash prize of $1,000. Deadline: 06/15/2015. Fees: $20.

18. The Stoneslide Story Contest
The Stoneslide Story Contest is open to any kind of story up to 10,000 words in length. The judges seek previously unpublished stories that exemplify the power of narrative to make one think and feel. Deadline: 06/21/2015. Prizes: $3,000. Fees: $10.

19. Cider Press Editors' Prize
The annual Cider Press Review Editors' Prize offers a $1,000 prize, publication, and 25 author’s copies of an author's first or second book length collection of poetry. Author receives a standard publishing contract. Deadline: 06/30/2015. Fees: $25.

20. The Housatonic Book Awards
The mission of the Housatonic Book Awards is to promote excellent writing, to identify authors who serve as professional role models for writing students, and to develop the WCSU MFA in Creative and Professional Writing Program. Deadline: 06/15/2015. Prizes: $1,000. Fees: $25.

21. Barrow Street Book Contest
The Barrow Street Press Book Contest award will be given for the best previously unpublished manuscript of poetry in English. The winner will receive book publication by Barrow Street Press, and $1,000. Deadline: 06/30/2015. Fees: $28.

22. Makeda Bilqis Literary Awards
The Makeda Bilqis Literary Awards is excited to announce a Poetry and Fiction (short story) contest to be judged and published this fall, September 2015. The first place winner will receive $100. The second and third place winners will both receive $50. Deadline: 08/15/2015. Fees: $12.

New Writer's Guidelines
Updated submission guidelines of publications that pay freelance writers for articles. Our Writer's Guidelines Database has over 800 submission guidelines in dozens of categories, including literary, trade, lifestyle, regional, and sports.

1. New Jersey Family magazine - Pays 10 cents/word
New Jersey Family is looking for experienced freelance writers and bloggers to contribute to the magazine, ancillary publications, and website. Its mission is to help New Jersey parents (of babies through teens) be the best parents they can be. Feature articles: 600 to 1,200 words. Payment for feature articles (600-1,000 words), variable rate, but approx. 10 cents per word.

2. Doll Collector magazine - Pays up to $150/article
Doll Collector is a bi-monthly publication for people who enjoy and appreciate dolls of all kinds: antique, collectable, modern and artist. Articles run from 500 to 1,200 words. The payment for articles is $50 to $150, depending on the length, information, photos, etc. to be included in the article.

3. Mother Earth Living magazine - Pays up to $150/article
Mother Earth Living magazine is for readers interested in living a healthy, environmentally conscious lifestyle. Articles in the four departments--Home, Health, Food and Garden--should be succinct and shorter than features. Mother Earth Living buys non-exclusive first North American and reprint rights. Pays $25-150 per article. Payment is upon publication.

4. Your Workplace magazine (Canada) - Pays 25+ cents/word
Your Workplace is a leading magazine in Canada to provide a "good read" on positive solutions to workplace concerns, and strategies for balancing the demands of today’s stressful world of work with healthy living. While most articles begin at approximately 600 words, feature articles can be up to 2,200 words. Minimum payment is 25 cents a published word, though rates are negotiable depending on qualifications.

5. Power for Living magazine - Pays up to $375/article
Power for Living, a weekly take-home paper for adults, is filled with inspiring articles about famous and ordinary Christians whose insights demonstrate following Christ. The publication features reports on unique ministries, world missions, spiritual trends, and issues that affect families. Pays up to $375 (1400-1600 words) per article.

6. Outdoor Oklahoma magazine - Pays $450/article
Outdoor Oklahoma magazine is the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's full-color, bi-monthly magazine. Editors publish wildlife and activities related to hunting, fishing and wildlife watching. Feature length articles run over 1,500 words. Pays up to $450 per article for first-time publication rights.

7. Central Penn Parent magazine - Pays up to $125/article
Established in 1996, Central Penn Parent is a magazine for parents and families in Central Pennsylvania. Pay varies by the level of detail required and/or word count of the assignment. Fees for original articles range from $50 to $125. The editor assigns stories for each issue, but ideas/pitches are always considered. Pitches/queries from new writers should include a resume and 2-3 published clips.

8. The Catholic Answer magazine - Pays $200/article
The mission of The Catholic Answer magazine is to help readers answer important questions about Catholic faith, practice and tradition, and to apply these insights to their everyday lives. Manuscripts should be no longer than 1,000 words. Average payment is $200 upon acceptance.

9. Canadian Geographic magazine - Pays 80 cents/word
Canadian Geographic magazine publishes stories about Canadian people, places, frontiers and issues (past and present). Each issue features the latest science, environment, travel and human and cultural stories from across Canada. Editors buy about 30 feature stories a year. Article length: 1,500-3,000 words. Payment: 80 cents per word and higher.

10. Wine Enthusiast Magazine - Pays up to $2,500/article
Wine Enthusiast Magazine welcomes proposals from freelance writers on subjects that pertain to wine, fine food and travel. You may also pitch story ideas for Wine Enthusiast Online. Subject matter for the front of the magazine and the Web site includes global wine region news, particularly controversies and innovations; short profiles and Q&As; creative food and drink recipes; cool merchandise related to wine, food or travel; etc. Payment: $750-$2,500 for assigned articles; $750-2,000 for unsolicited articles; and 50 cents per word for website articles.

I previously reported these special editorial markets at my Tumblr blog, WritingCareer.com and elsewhere over the past couple weeks. Here they are in a convenient list for you: more editorial markets seeking freelance writers.

1. Daily Science Fiction eZine Accepting Short Speculative Fiction
Daily Science Fiction, a popular online sci-fi magazine, is accepting stories in the speculative fiction genre, including sci-fi, fantasy, slipstream, and alternative history. The editors need short short fiction, particularly standalone flash fiction or a series of flash fiction consisting of three or more tales threaded with a prevalent theme. Word length: between 100 and 1500. Payment: 8 cents per word.

2. Freelance Writers Needed for The Compass Magazine
The editors of The Compass Magazine announced they are seeking submissions from freelance writers. The online-only magazine attracts well-informed Adventist laypeople and covers sound scriptural content handling important issues in the church and society in a manner that upholds the church and Adventist beliefs. Word length: 1K-2500 words per article. Payment: up to $200 per article paid upon publication.

3. Feature Articles Needed for Recreation News magazine
Recreation News (est. 1982) has an updated 2015 editorial calendar that can help freelance writers pitch topical article ideas to the editorial staff. The monthly tabloid curates most of its feature articles from freelance writers. The publication targets governmental and corporate employees doing work in the National Capital Region (Washington, D.C., its Virginia and Maryland suburbs, and Baltimore). Word length: under 1K words for feature articles, and under 600 words for short articles. Payment: up to $300/article for FNSR.

4. Equestrian Culture magazine is Seeking Submissions
Equestrian Culture, a new quarterly publication that encapsulates equestrianism through the creative lens of art, design, and literature, has issued a call to receive submissions for future issues. Each digital issue examines the many aspects of the horse culture’s customs, influences, and manifesting trends. Word length: 1K-2500 words for articles and essays; up to 4K words for short stories. Payment: between $25 and $50 per submission.

5. Modern-Day Nomads Seeks Writers for Articles
Modern-Day Nomads (est. 2006) is seeking more writers to contribute articles on the nomadic and expat life. The site caters to American globetrotters who are multi-skilled, well-informed, and tech-savvy travelers and prefer a "locationless living" lifestyle or desire to take advantage of their broad variety of skills to travel the world.  Payment: $25 per article. Photos are always a plus.

6. Vernon Press Seeks Academic Book Reviewers
Vernon Press, an independent publisher of scholarly works, is seeking knowledgeable readers to join its community of academic book reviewers. The publisher’s goal is to disseminate emerging ideas to academics and scholars in the fields of economics, social science, and humanities, including history, philosophy, politics, and fine arts. First-time reviewers receive payment of $50 per written review, plus two free books from current or future titles.

7. Living Education Journal Needs Articles on Homeschooling
Oak Meadow (est. 1975), an accredited distance learning school, needs submissions for Living Education, the school's complimentary magazine distributed to readers in the academic and homeschooling communities. The editor welcomes articles and essays from parents, teachers, students, and writers who have a background in homeschooling. Payment: $50-$100/article.

8. Our Times magazine Welcomes Workplace Stories
Our Times magazine (est. 1981) has an editorial feature called "Working for a Living"--a recurring collection of concise stories about work, by people from across Canada. The bi-monthly pro-union trade magazine promotes and supports workers’ civil liberties, social rights, and collective interests to spur positive changes. Word length: under 2K words. Payment: $100 per story.

9. HeroesandHeartbreakers Seeks Romance Stories
HeroesandHeartbreakers.com, a popular social network of diehard romance readers and authors, is inviting writers to submit short romance manuscripts for possible publication. The editors will consider short stories, 10K-15K, as well as novellas (30k-50k words) in any subgenre of romance. Payment is between a $1,000-$2,000 advance payment against a 25% royalty.

10. Canadian Women in the Literary Arts Calls for POV Essays
Canadian Women in the Literary Arts (CWILA) has reopened for submissions and is inviting Canadian women writers to submit non-fiction essays (under 4K words) on any subject pertaining to literary arts. CWILA welcomes creative non-fiction, literary commentary, book or other reviews, and interdisciplinary research studies. CWILA pays $150/essay, plus publication on its website.