INFORMATION HOTLINE

Good morning writers!
I have been so busy that I've neglected to keep up with my writers blog.  Hopefully I can make up for that with this new information I've found in my travels.   I try to find an assortment of  information about writing that will fit the needs of many writers. 

1. I'm going to start with information I came across for grants, this covers both writers and artist.  Every state in the United States has what they call an art commission.  Although it says art, it also cover writers.  I'm told this is not widely known, so hopefully, you'll be able to get to your application returned quickly.   This is the address to go to.   They will give you the address for your state.   http://www.nasaa-arts.org/   They will give you the information needed for forms and anything else necessary for your state's commission.  Your state will provide you with all the applications needed for your state.  I pray you will find what you need there.

2. This next one is from a writers site I've been going to for years.  Gary gives excellent and up to date markets and has a Free Writers' Market listing of over 750 markets.   You will also find  articles that are helpful, not just the same ole regurgitated info that's been going around for the last decade. 

He has an offer you will find lucrative and will run through December 2011 and I think in this market listing there will be something useful.  
Get a FREE DOWNLOAD for 25 Writers' Markets all paying $ 0.25 per word. 
Go to;   http://www.worldwidefreelance.com/  You will be able to find this offer on his home page.

3.  This last one is about articles in  Writer's Digest.  This magazine has been in circulation in the time before there was an Internet and I was still using a typewriter.  Now I am dating myself.  Just the thought of using a typewriter, It took forever to write anything over 10 pages, and if you made a mistake, you had to retype the whole page and rewrites were a nightmare.  Need I say more.

If you are looking for a magazine with excellent articles about submitting a query or writing a cover letter, Writer's Digest is the place to go.   http://www.writersdigest.com/  Like all things Internet they give you some free and if you want more you subscribe, but in their archives, which are free, there is so much information and it is well worth your time.  What I like about their articles is they don't give you hype, they get to the point and give you what you need.
Something like this:  Limit your query to one page single spaced.  Grab the editor's attention with a strong opening.  These are the basics, but they list queries for magazine articles, books, fiction, nonfiction, and more. 

I included this because, the first time an editor meets you is through the cover letter or query.  If you want to sell your work, first you have to impress the person who makes the decisions.  You have to sell and the first time they read what you've written is your cover letter and, or query.  Remember this person reads volumes and you have to catch their attention with the first paragraph of your cover letter.  That's why I've iincluded this information, if you want to sell your work, learn to write an exceptional cover letter and Writer's Digest has the articles that can help you do this.

Before I close, I want you to know this.  The information I list on my blogs are to help other writers.  I don't have any connection with the writers magazines other than the fact that I read them.  I am no compensated in any way for passing on this information, I do this to help other writers find what they need, it took me many hours to find what I needed and hopefully I can save you the trouble by listing places that I've found helpful.
Until next time, may peace surround you.

COPY RIGHTS AND LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CONTROL NUMBER

I want to pass along this information I got from "WRITERS WEEKLY"  written by its editor, Ms. Angela Hoy.  This is one newsletter that is well worth the time to read.  The articles are filled with information that I've found helpful time and time again.  The market listings are solid leads and not some regurgitated names picked out of last years leftovers.   I'm not getting paid to write this, it's just that I am very careful about the information I pass on to other writers.

If you are self-publishing or hiring a publishing service, you should not allow them to register your work.  Never give up any rights to your book and never allow them to register your copyright in their name.   They will jack up the price for this,  you can obtain your own copyright and register your work online for the cost of $35.00. 
Go to:     http://www.copyright.gov/forms/

THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG NUMBER
The Library of Congress Catalog Number  (LCCN) is a unique identification number.  The LCCN assigns to the catalog record for each book in its cataloged collections.  Librarians often use it to locate a specific book.  You can find information on how to obtain LCCN's here.  ( it is free)
Go to:     http://pcn.loc.gov/

Note: The site says you must be a publisher to obtain LCCN's but, if you are self-publishing and, or retaining all rights to your book, you are your own publisher.

For more information on this you can go to the sites listed above or to Writers Weekly and read the complete article there or if you have a question, I'm sure Angela Hoy will help you find the answers you need.


  

SO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER?

Writing is more than filling a page with words, although that is the biggest part of the job.   Where do you go and how to sell your work is an important part of the job as well when you decide to be a freelance writer. 

The advent of the Internet has opened up a whole new world for writers.  Anything you can think of writing about is now somewhere in Internet-space all you need do is "Google" it and in a second it pops up on your computer screen.   The market has increased a hundredfold and there are more opportunities now than ever before.   While this is good news, it is also a large area of information and you can spend many hours a day just trying to find a place that is suited to what you write.

There are articles by the ton giving information about freelance writing I will try to give you just a few of them.
Writers Digest, a magazine that has been in business for decades has a great deal of information, markets, and contest.   http://www.writersdigest.com/

World Wide Freelance, is another source for excellent articles and they have a large database for writers markets.   http://worldwidefreelance.com/

If you're looking for organizations for freelance writers, which are a good place to make connections and find information on copyright laws. 
Authors Guild  in New York City,  http://authorsguild.org/  -  staff@authorsguild.org
International Women's Writing Guild,      iwwg@iwwg.com

If you're looking for freelancing resources on the Internet to research magazines and newspaper markets worldwide, you can try these two.
http://www.ecola.com/      and      http://www.newslink.com/
I have not researched these, I tend to stay in the USA and I rarely write for newspapers, but when I find site that can help other writers I like to pass it on.

Two more places that give you information for Copyright Law.   The will give you Copyright protection information,  Literary Agents,  Book Publishers,  Editorial Services, groups and links to other freelance writing resources.
Firstwriter Magazine,    http://firstwriter.com/  
Writers Write, The International Writing Journal,  http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/

  

SEE BOTH BLOGS ON FREELANCE WRITING

My dear Writers,

I don't know how it happened, but I have two different blogs on freelance writing.  I thought I changed my orginial title of "Writers Bucks" to "angdee writes" however with my limited knowledge of, "How Things Work"  I ended up with two blogs and I am trying to find a way to combine them.  Until that happens, please bear with me.  I am putting everything under "Writers Bucks" because that's where most of my blogs are and I will put it all together as soon as I can figure out how that is done.

Thank you for understanding and staying with me.  I am looking forward to questions about writing, so, please feel free to ask anything or comment on what I have written.  Also if anyone knows how to fix this, I would deeply appreciate your help.
Thank you
angdee

JOBS, BLOGS, AND POETS, NEW LINKS

Today I going to give you links for a variety of freelance markets, agents, and leads.  This time of the year I am so busy getting ready for Christmas that everything else is on the back burner.  Yet, I said I wanted to share information with other writers that will help them reach their goals. The links I am giving you today are some of the best I've found to date.  I know you will find a great deal of information on writing as well as an assortment of markets, contests, and jobs for writers.  There is a variety in this group, so I am sure that you'll find something that suits your particular brand of writing. 

I enjoy writing and I'm trying to stay in one area, but I keep getting ideas that range from poetry, fiction, devotionals, and you name it, and I guarantee I've written something in that category.   I have been told that it's not the right way to get my name known, because I'm all over the place and that is probably true.   In the mean time, as I work on keeping to one area of writing, I know so many freelance markets, and that's good for you.

POETS & WRITERS MAGAZINE  -   http://www.pw.org/
This is a great magazine with markets, contest, and information that will take you from inspiration to publication. 
PUBLISHERS MARKETPLACE   -   http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/  
Here you'll find a job board for writers, a listing for agents, and links for more of what you need.
WRITING WORLD   -    http://www.writingworld.com/
This publication carries 750 free market links and a variety of articles on any and all writing.
GREETING CARD ASSOCIATION   -    http://www.greetingcard.org/
Here is something you can't find by going to card companies.  They will guide you in what card companies are looking for and then give you the links to these companies.  I found this helpful.
LITERARY AGENTS IN THE UNITED STATES   -    http://www.writers.net/
This is a listing for agents in the market for novels any genre, short stories, and articles.
WRITING JOBS AND MARKET BOARDS   -    http://www.freelancewriting.com/
The place to go for listings,  freelance jobs, markets, and contest.
WRITERS GUILD   -       http://www.wag.org/
This is strictly for agent of scriptwriters, they are looking for scripts for television and movies.

I've checked out these sites and as of December  7, 2010, and they are still in business. but let me know if that changes.  Lately these sites seem to come and go so quickly, that it is very difficult to keep up with who is where and for how long.   These site have been in business for years and I expect they will continue that way.  I wish you all the best and keep on filling up those blank pages, it's the best way to improve your skill as a writer.
MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL
angdee

THE MYSTERY STORY GAME

Writing a mystery is like playing an intellectual  game, the author must play fair with the reader.  You can't cheat your readers by resorting to trickery or deception, you have to play it straight-up.  The author must outwit the reader, but hold their interest through sheer ingenuity.  When writing a mystery there are laws, though unwritten, they exist none the less and are binding.

The author must give the reader a level playing field and an equal opportunity, with the detective for solving the mystery.   All the clues must be plainly described and stated, like the pieces on a chess board, it's all there in plain view.  Nothing is hidden, every move is there for all to see and work on the solution to win the game, solve the puzzle, and find the culprit.

Having no false pretense, no willful tricks or deceptions may be placed on the reader, other than those played legitimately by the suspect, giving the detective and reader clues to work with for solving the case.  The end game is to solve the crime and bring the culprit(s) to justice by using logical deductions.  It makes no difference where the game is played, on earth or in space, it's how the game is played.

Here are a few more links,
 ASIMOV'S  http://www.analogssf.com/
ANDROMEDA  http://www.andromedaspaceways.com/
FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION    http://www.sfsite.com/
STRAND MAGAZINE    http://www.strandmag.com/
TALEBONES    http://www.talebones.com/
There you go, and I wish you all the best mystery game ever!




 

PROFESSIONAL BLOGGERS

Blogs are another avenue for freelance writers.  They are easy to set up and their design is simplified due to the availability of good software and ready to use templates.  Blogs are tools writers can use to showcase their work, promote their books, editorial skills and keep readers informed by supplying information on varying subjects of interest.

A blog is simply a shortened version of the term for "web log".  Weblogs can be used by people for personal Web Sites of links to information of special interest.  This is often interspersed with information, editorializing and personal opinions on the subject matter.  A good weblog is updated often, with pointers of interest on a particular subject written in the style of the writer.  New information or expanded subject sources or updated sites of interest are updated regularly and older blogs at the bottom in chronological order.  A weblog is a continuing monologue of a personal or a subject that supplies information, keeping it up-to-date constantly. 
Point of Fact:
1. A weblog contains multiple posts of text, images and data
2. A weblog is arranged in chronological order with the most recent post first
3. A weblog includes informed comments from the readers
4. A weblog contains links to useful, related blogs and content
5. A weblog is a point of reference for informed individuals to combine knowledge.

Blogs are groundbreaking sources in the field of information exchange

A single blog can increase to other related subjects offering a new revenue to the point of incorporating into a company that its sole purpose is supplying information.  This is viable and has a proven track record of bringing in up to a million or more in the first year of business.

Keeping this in mind, there are companies that employ over 100 bloggers on their payroll, with assets in the millions for supplying information to billions of readers and companies.

It is possible to earn good money with just one blog.  Keeping in mind the subject matter and a loyal following of several thousands of readers. 

This is where I am ending this for today, but I will continue this subject.  Look for the next installment of, "GETTING STARTED"   I will supply you with the most up-to-date information available and give you the tools you need to get started.