I’ve been writing freelance articles for many years now, and I love teaching other writers how to see their work in print as well. One of the most beneficial resources I’ve found anywhere is ProfNet.
When I first began writing query letters and submitting freelance articles, I used my professional friends as expert sources. That was a good place to start. But as a health writer, I soon discovered I needed experts beyond my network of friends. That’s when John Riddle introduced me to ProfNet. (I’m sorry, but the server is down as I read this early Tuesday AM. I’ll try to check it when I get home later today.)
After becoming associated with ProfNet, my expert sources included professionals from Harvard and Duke and the Mayo Clinic. They begged me to include their doctors, dieticians, and researchers in my articles–and it was all free! My writing credibility, acceptance rate, and assignments quickly increased.
But you don’t have to be a health writer to find good expert sources. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing about scrapbooking, soccer, or gem cutting, ProfNet can mine a mother lode of sources to pull from.
Interested? Check out the ProfNet Journalist requirements here. (A freelance writer falls under the Journalist category). It’s easy to sign up!
A clear post will help you get the experts you need. Here is the link to ProfNet’s guidelines for posting your request.
And don’t forget, these experts are professionals. Your kind, gracious communication will go a long way to help you be a journalist the experts want to work with and support!
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Need to Learn How to Write Magazine Articles? Contact Me for the Half-Price Sale on “How To Have Magazine Editors Calling YOU!” Through March 31 Only!
That’s right–until March 31, you can order How to Have Magazine Editors Calling YOU! for only $7.48! That’s half-price! (Scroll down to the class description.)
BUT PLEASE NOTE: You’ll need to email me to get the special pricing. If you order through PayPal, it will charge you the full price. After you email me with your request, I’ll send you a PayPal bill for $7.48, and then I’ll send you the link to both the downloadable class and the handout!
I can’t wait to see your byline in a magazine. 
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Don’t Forget Your March MoGo!
Please know I am praying for each of you as you work on the book God has laid on your hearts.
Right now we only have 15 entries for the $100 prize. Will you get an entry for March? Don’t miss your chance to get multiple entries for the drawing! To find out more, check out the MoGo7000 details here. (Scroll down to MoGo7000)
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Writing Opportunities for March!
Thanks again to Marilyn Shipe for her excellent help in rounding up opportunities for The Christian Writer’s Den readers.
Lots of our readers have had their work published through opportunities posted here. So…what are YOU going to do with them?
1. IN HIS PRESENCE
Guidelines: e-mail
Offers ongoing serial-form stories and new articles and interviews to interest Christian communities. 80% unsolicited freelance. Tips: All sections and departments are open to new writers and freelancers. Just let us see your work and have confidence in yourself and your ability.
2. Chicken Soup for the Soul recently listed four new titles that will go into production in the next few months:
- Christmas Stories
- Home Sweet Home
- Stories about Finding Happiness
- Think Positive for Kids
Deadlines are anywhere from May 30 to Dec. 31, 2011, depending on the title. You can find synopses at We encourage you all to submit one or more stories.
3. DESIGNER GREETINGS
E-mail:
Designer Greetings produces greeting cards for all ages for every occasion and holiday.
Prefers: Accepts rhymed and unrhymed verse ideas. Purchases 200-300 freelance verses/year.
Responds in 2 months. Freelancers paid $50/humor verse, $30/non-humor verse. Submit seasonal/holiday material 6 months in advance. Needs: conventional, humorous, informal, inspirational, juvenile, sensitivity, soft line, studio.
4. Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival Contests
Where cutting-edge media arts are combined with one of the most unique Christian conferences and Christian film festivals in the country. Multiple contests for Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival here.
5. VAIL FILM FESTIVAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
E-mail:
The 2011 Vail Film Festival Film Program includes Features, Docs, Shorts, Student, and Adventure Films. The Vail Film Festival Screenplay Competition is a vehicle for aspiring screenwriters to get their script read by established film producers who are actively working at the top level of the film industry. Competition winners will have networking opportunities with some of Hollywood’s top players, as well as nationwide exposure through media coverage and a Vail Film Festival press release. Screenplay submissions are judged by film industry professionals with the top three screenplays receiving prizes.
Needs: scripts – Feature Scripts must be between 70-125 pages in length. Short Scripts must be between 3-45 pages in length.
6. BOYDS MILLS PRESS
Poetry: (Specialized: picture books, novels, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, a
nd various activity books for children and teen). E-mail: .
7. THREADS
E-mail:
We’re seeking proposals from hands-on authors who first and foremost have a skill. Being an experienced writer is of secondary consideration. Covers: Bimonthly magazine covering garment sewing, garment design, and embellishments (including quilting and embroidery). Guidelines available online. Buys one-time rights, buys second serial (reprint) rights. Offers $150 kill fee. Responds in 1-2 months to queries. Nonfiction: $150/page. Product reviews, Book reviews, Tips, Closures (stories of a humorous nature). Closures pays $150/page. Each sewing tip printed pays $25.
8. THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION
E-mail:
Contact: Gordon Van Gelder, editor.
“The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction publishes various types of science fiction and fantasy short stories and novellas, making up about 80% of each issue. The balance of each issue is devoted to articles about science fiction, a science column, book and film reviews, cartoons, and competitions.” Guidelines for SASE, by e-mail or website. Buys first North American serial rights, buys foreign serial rights. Pays on acceptance. No kill fee. Sample copy for $6. Responds in 2 months to queries.
Columns/Departments – Curiosities (Reviews of odd & obscure books), 270 words max. Accepts 6 mss/year. Pays $-$50.
Fiction – Contact: Gordon Van Gelder, Editor. “Prefers character-oriented stories. We receive a lot of fantasy fiction, but never enough science fiction.”
Needs: adventure,fantasy,horror, space fantasy, sword & sorcery, dark fantasy, futuristic, psychological, supernatural, science fiction, hard science/technological, soft/sociological.
No electronic submissions. Send complete Ms. Pays 5-9¢/word. Length: up to 25,000 words.
New writers should keep their submissions under 15,000 words.
9. MEMORY MAKERS BOOKS
Contact: Christine Doyle, editorial director.
Memory Makers Books exclusively publishes titles for the consumer scrapbooking industry in the form of fresh and innovative scrapbooking books. Authors who submit proposal packages must be outstanding scrapbook artists, as well as apt photographers and writers. Authors must possess a well-rounded knowledge of the industry in order to present their special book idea in a concise and complete proposal package to ensure proper evaluation. Simultaneous Submissions: Yes. Responds in 2 months to queries. Pays royalty. 70% of titles by first time authors. 95% of titles by unagented authors.
Nonfiction: Submit a proposal package that includes 40-word synopsis of the book, detailed outline (front and back matter, chapters, sidebars) for a 128-page book, no less than 10 pieces of sample art (jpgs) that illustrate the subject/techniques to be covered in the book, a brief biography and published clips. Needs: crafts/scrapbooking.
10. CONTINENTAL FEATURES/CONTINENTAL NEWS SERVICE
E-mail:
Contact: Gary P. Salamone, editor-in-chief.
Writers who offer the kind and quality of writing we seek stand an equal chance regardless of experience. CF/CNS specializes in covering the unreported/under-reported news/information and requires 3 letters of recommendation, one of which must be a current subscriber to our general-interest newsmagazine, Continental Newstime, to ensure the consistency with this mission and with our quality and format standards. Guidelines for #10 SASE. Responds in 1 month. Buys 100% under contract.
Needs: Feature material should fit the equivalent of 1/4-1/2 standard newspaper page, and Continental News considers an ultra-liberal or ultra-conservative slant inappropriate. Magazine Features,Newspaper Features
11. BARBARA BRADLEY PRIZE
E-mail:
Contact: NEPC Contest Coordinator.
Offered annually for a lyric poem under 21 lines, written by a woman. It must be submitted only in April and May contests. Prize: $200. Costs: $10 is entry fee for every 3 poems, only for 3 contests.
Needs: poetry. Entries should be sent by regular mail only. Special Delivery or signature required mail will be returned by the Post Office. Entries should be original unpublished poems in English. No poem should be entered in more than one contest nor have won a previous contest. Poems should be typed and submitted in duplicate with author’s name, address, and email on one copy only. Label poems with contest name. No entries will be returned. NEPC will not engage in correspondence regarding poems or contest decisions.
12. Ezine@rticles
Ezine@rticles Guidelines here.
EzineArticles.com is a matching service — bringing real-world experts and ezine publishers together. Expert Authors & Writers are able to post their articles to be featured within the site. Our searchable database of hundreds of thousands of quality original articles allows email newsletter publishers hungry for fresh content to find articles that they can use for inclusion within their next newsletter.
13. MATURE YEARS at LifeWay
email:
90% unsolicited freelance. Columns/departments: Cracker Barrel – 4-line verse – Pays $15, Grandparents’s Brag Board – Pays $15, Over the Garden Fence (gardening), Communing with God (devotional), Crafts, Recipes. Pays $15-50. Pays $85-115 for feature articles, ($105-115 for fiction).
Tips: Almost all areas open to freelancers. Fiction for 55+ adults needs to underscore a biblical truth.
14. TICKLED BY THUNDER
Tickled by Thunder Guidelines here.
This magazine is for writers wanting to better themselves. 90% unsolicited freelance. Tips: Write a 300-word article describing how you feel about your success/failures as a writer. Be specific, and focus. Don’t be at all general or vague; tell what works for you. Also needs book reviews of writing books.
15. SPIRIT-LED WRITER
Spirit-Led Writer Guidelines here.
Spirit-Led Writer Editor’s Wish List for Writers
An Internet magazine for Christian beginning, intermediate, and advance writers.
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Ladies, Could You Join Deborah Dunn and Me for a FREE Fun Morning Videotaping on March 26?
If you’re anywhere near the upstate SC area, you’re invited to participate in the videotaping of our new program on Saturday, March 26 9:30-11:30 at Westside Church in Simpsonville SC. Come see The Story of a Woman’s Life: Reading Between the Whines.
You’ll laugh…you’ll cry…you’ll be in a video!
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Parting Words from The Word…
Want to be wise in our communication with others?
The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Proverbs 16:23
I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
