How FundsForWriters.com taught me to be a successful writer

Once upon a time, there was a writer. She’d had over a hundred feature articles published in various magazines, before she heard about FundsForWriters.com. “Hey, I’m a writer! I bet I could tell other writers a thing or two, and earn fifty cool ones,” she thought. So she dashed off a submission to the editor, Hope Clark. It was rejected. She tried again. And again. She had to pitch four times before her fifth submission was finally accepted. Even then, the piece seemed so less-than-satisfactorily edited, it spawned not one but two irate editorials, back-to-back, on the importance of perfecting...

Read the full article in the July 2016 issue of Funds For Writers

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Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

600 words
Nonfiction
US publication

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Words from the Wise

"LOL Thanks for this cute piece."

C Hope Clark

Editor

Funds for Writers

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8 Questions you should ask before selling all rights

“We take all rights to your work,” warn the guidelines of a popular parenting blog. “Don’t submit to us if you are not comfortable with this.”

Handing over all rights, including copyright, of your work to another entity goes against the grain for many writers. Others, however, don’t bat an eyelid. You can always write more, right? So, in which situations does it make sense?

All Rights is a big deal, and Perpetual Exclusive Rights even more so. From the publishers’ point of view, even though they may cost big bucks, there are advantages to buying all rights. Overhead costs more when keeping track...

Read the full article in the June 2016 issue of Writers Weekly

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Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

750 words
Nonfiction
US publication

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How to grab eye-catching expert quotes!

What do the following names have in common?

Jeffrey Archer, David Baldacci, Bernard Cornwell, Janet Evanovich, Jasper Fforde, Ken Follett, Jonathan Kellerman, Rebecca Tope.

Answer: My articles! These famous bestselling authors have all granted direct personal exclusive quotes to me.

A writer instills his own voice, personality, perceptions, knowledge, experiences, even moods into his work. It is one point of view and can sound opinionated. Adding commentary from external sources changes the tone of the article from opinion to analysis. Quotes liven up the content, humanizing...

Read the full article in the June 2016 issue of Freelance Market News

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Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

1500 words
Nonfiction
UK publication

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Words from the Wise

"I LOVE IT! Wow, that's fantastic. I love that you have brought the process into the social media age (I wouldn't have thought about the fact that "they can Google you too"). And of course that quote from the "well-respected editor" just totally sets the tone for a fine article :)"

Moira Allen

Publisher

Writing World

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Sell more work by grabbing eye-catching quotes

What do the following names have in common?

Jeffrey Archer, David Baldacci, Bernard Cornwell, Janet Evanovich, Jasper Fforde, Ken Follett, Jonathan Kellerman, Rebecca Tope.

Answer: My articles! These famous bestselling authors have all granted direct personal exclusive quotes to me.

A writer instills his own voice, personality, perceptions, knowledge, experiences, even moods into his work. It is one point of view and can sound opinionated. Adding commentary from external sources changes the tone of the article from opinion to analysis. Quotes liven up the content, humanizing...

Read the full article in the May 2016 issue of Funds For Writers

or

Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

600 words
Nonfiction
US publication

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Words from the Wise

"I LOVE IT! Wow, that's fantastic. I love that you have brought the process into the social media age (I wouldn't have thought about the fact that "they can Google you too"). And of course that quote from the "well-respected editor" just totally sets the tone for a fine article :)"

Moira Allen

Publisher

Writing World

From hospital to home

"He is fine. It's just a common cold," said the ER doctor.

I wasn't convinced. After three weeks of lingering cold with little improvement, my son's temperature had skyrocketed to 106.4°F and alarmed me. He sounded hoarse, and all he could do was cough and cry. I described all these symptoms to the doctor and carefully asked, "Are you quite sure?"

"His throat does look red, but that's normal with a cold," the doctor repeated.

"Thank you, doctor," I said, trying to keep my cool. "Only, I'd feel so much better if you took a throat swab – just for my reassurance and peace of mind. I'm really worried it...

Read the full article in the April/May 2016 issue of Parents Canada

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Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

2100 words
Nonfiction
Canada publication

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Words from the Wise

"Nice work on this! Excellent work Devyani!"

Janice Biehn

Editor

ParentsCanada

"I liked how you provided a comprehensive list of suggested items for parents to consider.  I believe it will come in really handy. :)"

Michelle Ang

Editor

The New Age Parents

"Wonderful article"

Melissa Michta-Thomson

Copy Editor

Calgary's Child

"It's a solid pitch... well-composed and on-target for our readership."

Kim Shiffman

Managing Editor

Today's Parent

"I love your intro!"

Ashley Trexler

Editor

Lies About Parenting

"Great post"

Samantha Angoletta

Senior Content Manager

Scary Mommy

How to deal with noisy children... before the neighbours complain!

The doorbell rang just as my two-year-old emitted a piercing shriek of delight on finding a toy long thought lost.

"Your children make too much noise," complained the new neighbour. "They're too loud; they disturb us during our conference calls. Please can you tone it down a bit?" She was gone before I had time to draw breath.

With a mixture of embarrassment and fury, I shut the door and stormed back into the apartment screeching at my kids to shut up and mouthing impossible threats and punishments if they disobeyed. After a minute to collect myself, I reflected and questioned my reaction: did...

Read the full article in the Spring 2016 issue of Country Child

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Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

975 words
Nonfiction
UK publication

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Words from the Wise

"Great article! Thanks for sharing :)"

Michelle Ang

Editor

New Age Parents

"I really like the tone and the points made."
Sarah Third
Editor
Country Child Magazine

"I enjoyed your humorous pitch, and it sounds like an interesting topic"
Dominique Lamberton
Associate Editor
Chatelaine

"This story is really well-written and is an important topic... Love the article."
Sarah Anne Mau
Managing Editor
Hawaii Parent

"This looks good and could be something of interest."
Anna Dixon
Deputy Editor
My Child Magazine

"I enjoyed your article."
Jane Muller
Editor
City Parent

3 More ways to know your market

Imagine trying to sell apples to a stranger off the street. You don’t know who he is, whether he likes apples, or if he even wants apples. You don’t know how many he’ll take, what kind he prefers, how much money he has in his pocket to spend on your apples, and if he needs a little left over to buy his dinner too. You don’t know whether he wants the apples now or later, if he has any allergy to apples, what he plans to do with them in turn (sell, eat or throw away), if he has a friend who is equally hungry for apples, or whether apples are in season in his part of the world. Heck, you don’t even know if he knows what...

Read the full article in the March 2016 post of Walrus Publishing

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Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

1040 words
Nonfiction
US publication

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Words from the Wise

"It has some good tips"

Moira Allen
Publisher
Writing World


"I really liked your article"
Brian Scott
Editor
Freelance Writing


"This looks great. I'd love to run it in our (upcoming) issue."
Bill Kenower
Editor
Author Magazine

"I like this."
Lisa Miller
Editor
Walrus Publishing

10 Mistakes you should avoid while negotiating

Money saved is money earned. Everyone wants more money. Try a little bit of skilful negotiation.

Whether for a job salary, a house sale or a freelance assignment, the principles of negotiation remain much the same. Like any good strategist, you need to prepare in advance by arming yourself with the right tools. However, many of us trip up when it comes to these key points:

1. Not knowing what you’re worth

Imagine walking into an electronics store to buy an iPhone and being told it has no set price. Wouldn’t that feel weird? Every product or service has a value, and you should know yours. Evaluating...

Read the full article in the March 2016 issue of Freelance Market News

or

Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

1500 words
Nonfiction
UK publication

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Words from the Wise

"I love it!  It's fabulous! Excellent"

Moira Allen

Publisher

Writing World

How to deal with noisy kids... before your neighbours complain!

The doorbell rang just as my two-year-old emitted a piercing shriek of delight on finding a toy long thought lost.

"Your children make too much noise," complained the new neighbour. "They're too loud; they disturb us during our conference calls. Please can you tone it down a bit?" She was gone before I had time to draw breath.

With a mixture of embarrassment and fury, I shut the door and stormed back into the apartment screeching at my kids to shut up and mouthing impossible threats and punishments if they disobeyed. After a minute to collect myself, I reflected and questioned my reaction: did...

Read the full article in the March 2016 post of New Age Parents

or

Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

975 words
Nonfiction
Singapore publication

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Words from the Wise

"Great article! Thanks for sharing :)"

Michelle Ang

Editor

New Age Parents

"I really like the tone and the points made."
Sarah Third
Editor
Country Child Magazine

"I enjoyed your humorous pitch, and it sounds like an interesting topic"
Dominique Lamberton
Associate Editor
Chatelaine

"This story is really well-written and is an important topic... Love the article."
Sarah Anne Mau
Managing Editor
Hawaii Parent

"This looks good and could be something of interest."
Anna Dixon
Deputy Editor
My Child Magazine

"I enjoyed your article."
Jane Muller
Editor
City Parent

Preparing for a hospital stay with an ill child

"Your son has pneumonia," said the doctor.
And I heaved a sigh of relief.

When my two year old was recently ill, it was all arms to battle stations as we fought temperatures peaking 41.5Celsius (106.7F), dehydration and sleeplessness. At the hospital I was informed it could be either pneumonia or meningitis. So when it was confirmed that we'd escaped the latter, I was so relieved I nearly didn't register what the doctor said next. "He'll have to stay in the hospital for the next five nights, so we can begin the antibiotics treatment and monitor him closely."
Oh.

A hospital stay with your loved...

Read the full article in the March/April 2016 issue of Calgary's Child

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Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

940 words
Nonfiction
Canada publication

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Words from the Wise

"Wonderful article"

Melissa Michta

Copy Editor

Calgary's Child

"It's a solid pitch...  well-composed and on-target for our readership."

Kim Shiffman

Managing Editor

Today's Parent

"I love your intro!"

Ashley Trexler

Editor

Lies About Parenting

"Great post"

Samantha Angoletta

Editor

Scary Mommy

"Interesting article"

Charlotte Piercy

Editor

Primary Times North Wales & Shropshire Magazine

"I'm sure many people would be interested to read it."

Joy Tibbs

Editor

Today's Child