Good morning, writers! Today's lesson will be short and sweet so you–and I–can get to work! And if you check out this month's writing opportunities below, you'll see there is lots of work you can do!
You've probably heard that speaking in public is one of the most common fears. But guess what…as a writer, it's highly likely you'll end up as a speaker, too, whether it's speaking at a book club, giving your testimony on talk radio, or teaching at a writer's conference. (Don't laugh. If you're doing the real work of a writer, you could very well be teaching in a few years!)
Edie Melson, my dear friend and co-director of the NCompass Writing Retreat (formerly The Christian Writer's Den Writing Retreat) posted this week about that very thing at her weekend edition of The Write Conversation. I'd love for you to head on over there and read it.
A huge part of the problem is that as Christians, we're afraid it'll sound like we're bragging if we talk about our lives. But as Edie points out, how can we bring glory to God for what He's done if we don't tell others? Yes, speaking is a hand-holding partner with writing.
It just so happens that as I write this, I'm knee-deep in preparations for our very first Christian Communicators Conference that begins this Wednesday! Hoo-wee! People-polisher Carolyn Knefely and I have teamed up to create a quality, hands-on, personal program for women who feel called to develop or advance a speaking ministry. We pray and believe it will be one of the best programs anywhere!
If you feel God may be calling you to speak, be sure to watch for the next Christian Communicators Conference. We'll be announcing the plans soon. And guys, you'll be able to come this next time! 🙂
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Don't Forget to MoGo7000!
I've been praying for you–and for me–that we will commit and follow-through to write the book God has laid on our hearts. Remember, the goal is 7000 words a month. And it doesn't matter if you do it in a few words every day, a good bit once a week, or a cram-fest at the end of the month!
And what do you get for participating? The joy of knowing you'll have a finished book at the end of the year AND a chance to win $100! Each month that you reach the 7000-word goal, your name goes in the hat. Reach it two months in 2011 and you get two entries. Reach it every month and you'll have TWELVE entries!
And if you don't meet the goal one month, don't worry. You can work toward another entry with 7000 words the next month. 🙂
I admit, my month has been packed, so I haven't gotten much done, but you better believe by the time February 1st gets here, I'll have my 7000 words. I'm not going to miss my goal!
And it's FREE! So what are you waiting for? Leave a comment letting me know you're on board and you'll be on your way!
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It's Time for The Christian Writer's Den Mega Writing Opportunities!
As always, heartfelt thanks go to Marilyn Shipe for her valuable contribution to this month's list. I couldn't do it without you, Marilyn!
1. Persuasion Magazine
(This comes from our own Edie Melson, assistant director of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Southwest Christian Writers Conferences.) A general topic magazine with a Christian worldview. Part of the magazine's purpose is to give conferees real-world experience in submitting and writing for publication. Persuasion Magazine is an effort to do that but to also meet a need. The world needs information, inspiration, and content worth reading; content delivered in a reasoned voice. Writer's guidelines for Persuasion Magazine.
2. HEARTSONG PRESENTS
As you're working on MoGo7000 this year, you might want to consider this info! Accepts inspirational romance. All manuscripts should present a conservative, evangelical Christian worldview. Must be 45,000 to 50,000 words. Considers historical, contemporary, a strong geographical flavor, ethnic flavor and a purist point-of-view.
3. BARBOUR FICTION
Or maybe as you're working on MoGo7000, this information might be a better fit. The main characters should be or become Christians, but don't have to be saints. Through character problems, a message of the power of redemption should be apparent. Resolution should be consistent with standard Christian teaching. Accepts historical and contemporary settings. Should be full-length of 80,000 to 100,000 words with a romance-focused plot.
4. Dollar Stretcher Seeking Articles
The Dollar Stretcher is seeking articles for its monthly print magazine and its online ezines. Payment for articles in the print edition is $0.10 a word and payment is made on acceptance. For more information and to view the complete writers' guidelines visit the guidelines page.
5. THE MONA SCHREIBER PRIZE FOR HUMOROUS FICTION & NONFICTION
Prize: 1st Place: $500, 2nd Place: $250, 3rd Place: $100. Deadline: December 1, 2011. Needs: fiction, nonfiction E-mail Brad Schreiber at:
Contest guidelines here.
6. Christian Devotions
Many of our Christian Writer's Den followers have been published here! As a matter of fact, the January 17 devotion is
written by Christian Writer's Den follower (and friend) Cindy Jones! Contact: Cindy Sproles at: . Christian Devotion writers guidelines here. Now pays $10 per devotion.
7. Forward Day by Day
E-mail: Richard Schmidt at
Send 3 sample devotions according to Forward Day by Day writer's guidelines posted on Website. (Look for "About Us"/"Writers Guidelines"). Likes author to complete an entire month's worth of devotions. Pays $300 for a month of devotions.
8. Light From the Word
Contact Craig Bubeck at Visit the Light from the Word website for writers guidelines. Pays $100 for seven devotions.
9. The Secret Place
Contact: Kathleen Hayes at Guidelines by mail. 100% freelance. Pays $20 per devotion.
10. The Word in Season
E-mail Rev. R. Melander at Visit the Word in Season website, type in "The Word in Season" in search box for guidelines. Pays $20 per devotion. $75 for prayers.
11. Journey: A Woman's Guide to Intimacy With God
A devotional magazine for women 30-50 years old ranging from practical applications of faith to spiritual growth, as well as profiles of Christian women in leadership positions. 15% unsolicited freelance. Pay $50-100 upon acceptance. Write for guidelines at One Lifeway Plaza, . E-mail:
12. KEYS FOR KIDS –
Contact Hazel Marett at:
Bimonthly devotional booklet. "This is a devotional booklet for children and is also widely used for family devotions." Fiction: Young readers, middle readers: religious. Buys 60 mss/year. Average word length: 400. How to Contact: Fiction: Send complete ms. Will consider simultaneous submissions. Terms: Pays on acceptance. Buys reprint rights or first rights for mss. Pays $25 for stories. Sample copies free for SAE 6 X 9 and 3 first class stamps. Writer's guidelines for SASE.
13. DESIGNER GREETINGS
Specific guidelines for writers, photographers and artists vary as we have many different card lines. We produce humorous and traditional cards as well as all holidays. We are always interested in new markets and new ideas. Our greeting card line, with its range of styles from traditional to alternative, will move you, amuse you or make you laugh out loud.
14. VOOK, INC. eBooks
Our company publishes ebooks that combine words, videos, pictures, and interactivity into new media experiences that allow users to engage with content the way they want. We publish titles in a variety of genres, including lifestyle, business, entertainment, cooking, and sports. Our ebooks combine sharp, insightful prose with professionally produced video to help consumers acquire new skills or accomplish specific tasks. We seek writers with specialized knowledge in these subject areas:
Technology and Consumer Electronics
Health, Sports, and Fitness
Self-Help and Career Development
Cooking and Food
Crafts and Hobbies
Home Improvement and Real Estate
University-Level Academic Subjects
We pay writers $500 per ebook to write eight chapters of text. Each chapter includes roughly 500 words of text. The total word-count for each ebook is approximately 4000 words. Writers receive byline and author credit for their work.
15. Call-Out for Grandparenting Stories!
Well, I believe that will keep you busy for a while. 🙂 Don't forget to let me know when you have some good news to share in the kudos. We want to celebrate with you!
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Upcoming Writers Conferences:
- Foothills Writers Workshop, SC
- Write2Ignite SC
- Carolina Christian Writers Workshop, SC
- Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer's Conference, NC (I'll be there and would love to see you!)
- Colorado Christian Writers Conference , CO
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Parting Words from The Word…
I know we used this Bible verse fairly recently, but it's perfect for the topic we're discussing today. So…be ready to speak.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15
I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
