Writers Unbound

I am having  hard time making some scheduling decisions this month. I have a client who could potentially take up all of March, which is fine, as the pay also meets my March income goals. However, it is most likely that that pay won’t come until April, leaving my March income very skimpy.

That’s difficult. Do I look for additional March projects in order to round out my March income, even though, in reality, this client should take most of my March time to meet the deadline? Or, do I go ahead and devote March to this client, meet the deadline easily, but not meet my March income goals.

It’s very likely going to be choice three: do both, therefore working myself into a jello heap, imposing on my family time and  burning myself out.

Good times.

Between NYC last week, and the weather, snow days and etc, I need a vacation! Who’s with me?

Writers and hopefuls, I’ve been deluged with freelance work and will be returning SOON. Meanwhile, please enjoy the muzak.

Yesterday I ran across a link to Volunteermatch.org. (I can’t recall where I ran across it, unfortunately, but if it was your blog, feel free to leave me a comment.)

I realized that there is an absolute plethora of grant writing needs out there. Everyone needs money! Heck, I’m writing a grant proposal in my other window right this minute.

One of my internships was a grueling (but in a good way) foray into the world of non profits and grant writing. My knowledge went from zero to a complete, competitive $75,000 proposal in 4 months. 

Many non profits are willing to pay (sometimes handsomely) for someone who can write grant proposals. Unfortunately for writers, this often includes the need for someone to interview the organization multiple times, meet with the board, ascertain the needs, price out the needs, create spreadsheets and etc for the needs, price out the hired help that goes with the need, research things like payroll taxes and insurance, research leasing terms and rates, and possibly consider things like heating costs, custodial costs and professional development responsibilities. That’s just a list directly off the top of my head, but my point is that grant writing can often turn out to be more than writing. 

Of course, you could get lucky and end up with an agency that has an accountant and researcher already on staff, and your sole occupation is to string the words together…but, really, how fun and educational would that be?

If you’re interested in grantwriting as a way to put your writing skills to work, here’s some suggestions:

1) Consider taking a class. You could look at local colleges, or you could consider a local non-profit umbrella organization. In Michigan, there’s the MNA, an entity that runs seminars and workshops for grantwriters. See if your State has a similar agency.  

2) Start in a volunteer capacity. This looks great on your resume and website, and gets you the real experience that you need to sell your services.

3) Be ready to play with numbers, figures, laws and etc- not just words!

Do I recommend the business? Heck yeah! It’s not very deluged, as far as writers go (at least not that I’ve noticed). In addition, it feels good to do some work that  you can get behind, instead of simply helping out someone else’s bottom line. Lastly, almost every sector has a non profit piece to it. If you’re interested in business, you can team up with a non profit business development firm. If you’re interested in the environment, there’s no limit to the non profits out there for you to work with. I’m specifically interested in Elementary Education- it was my minor in college and I do a LOT of writing in the field. I’ve found more than a few education- focused non profits looking for grantwriters. 

Good luck! 

grants, grant writing, grant proposals

Last Friday, we began a series on finding markets for your writing, and are focusing first on articles/magazines and perhaps some non-fiction essay markets, which can be found in similar ways.

We started at the beginning, sort of conquering “the chicken or the egg” riddle and found a decent mix of writers here and throughout the net who tend to oscillate between beginning with the targeted market or beginning with the piece.

Today, we’re going to begin finding a market for that (hypothetical) piece that you’ve got burning a hole in your hot little hand…er…hard drive….

Enter: The Resource of All Resources. The Writers Market.

For those new to the writing and publishing world, the Writers Market is a huge print resource listing a downright feast of magazines and trade publications. Each entry also provides hints and tips for each entry regarding how to approach with an idea, who to direct pitches to, what to avoid, and how to get the editor’s attention. Honestly, as a resource, it’s one of the best out there.

Writers Market is also made of an online component- a subscription-based service that basically provides the same thing, but also adds in newer listings, updates, and software that helps you track your submissions. 

Veterans, don’t fret! I know your Writer’s Market is thumbed through and flagged up! Tomorrow, we’ll continue our series on finding markets, and perhaps you can jump in pass along some of your favorite little gems!  

writers market

I must thank Write From Home for this one!

The Parenting Publications of America Association will charge you 50 bucks if you wish to have a listing of their parenting publications who are members….Sounds like great thing to have for us writers, right? Sure…but who wants to spend 50 bucks on it? (not me, thanks, I’m saving for a new printer that works with my Vista).

So, as Write at Home explains, you can get around that by visiting the site, clicking on ‘Find a Member’ in the left navigation, and then plugging in your state and searching. POP! You’ve got all the parenting publications in your state, just waiting for your well thought out query!

Many people answered my post from yesterday about what you NEED in yet another writing website, and I will most certainly get on that soon. Items mentioned were blogging and cold calling, among others. So let’s start brainstorming!

Hump day’s near done everyone!

I spend so very much time on the internet. Given that my work is 90% virtual, that’s probably obvious & expected. Since I tend to surf a lot, I’ve noticed that there’s a million writer’s websites out there. Any info you want can be had, and quite easily.

With that said, I really am wondering how I can help readers of WritersUnbound. I know you’re out there! SiteMeter told me you’re visiting!

If you’ve happened along here looking for something in particular, would you kindly let me know what it is? Potential markets, jobs, advice, a peek into another writers world, maybe? I’d really like to help ya out!

As you can see, my last couple of blogs have spanned many topics and resources. I hope you’ve found them usable!

So, leave me a message. What do you  need out of a good writing blog?

Meanwhile, so that I can be the best blogger I can be, I’ll be following up on this story about blogger blindness.

So, it’s not news, per se, but freelance blogging is really becoming a moneymaker for many internet prone writers. Companies recognize it as the newest marketing tool, internet sites know the constant content grabs the readers.

Not one to reinvent the wheel, I’d rather cite Deb Ng’s blogging How To at About Weblogs for the why and hows.

I will say, however, that this is a medium that can have appeal to all types of writers. Fiction-oriented scribes still get to use their creative voice, while some freelancers can form relationships with companies, products and sites. Others can concentrate on the expose or profile type blogging that reminds them of magazine writing and journalistic outlets.

Want to start your own blog? Try Blogspot or Wordpress. Are you thinking about blogging solely to make money? If so, you’d better read this first. 

There’s a whole dynamic of writers out there, obviously. Because of my work with some other sites, I have had the pleasure of working with some newbie freelance writers.

In the last couple days, I’ve ran into so many ezines that interest me that my bookmarks are running into two columns. It occurred to me that ezines may be particularly good for some of my newbie friends to target for first publication. Here’s why:

• The multitude of e-magazines out there makes it easy to find one dealing with a subject about which you are passionate. Passion brings you that much closer to solid writing.
• Many neophytes use the net to break into writing. They then get to know the writing style that works best for the web, translating easily into ezine styled columns/articles etc.
• The sheer number of ezines available make me feel comfortable enough to say “webzines are much easier to break into than print.” Now, I’m not saying anything about quality, just pure amounts.

Caveats:

• Many ezines are thinly veiled advertisements. Therefore, you’ll need to do your homework, take note of quality and so on. Aim high!
• I’ve seen ezines come and go within the span of a month. Some of them with my hard work in them! Again, research!

The Ezine Directory has 3600+ ezines in 42 categories- a great place to start!

I’ve been following a couple of internet discussions regarding writer’s spaces in preparation for today: I’m getting my office remodeled today!:)

Ok, sorry, I am excited but I am not gloating, because I know that many talented writers work at their kitchen table and turn out darn decent stuff. More power to them!

I, on the other hand, am a distractable basket case at times. (please note I said at times) So, I’m manipulating my environment in order to  increase productivity.

While I’m doing that, check out over 100 comments at Problogger.net on writing space for pro-bloggers, many of which include youtubes and pictures.

So, is it unprofessional to write anywhere other than in a set office? That discussion happened over at Deb Ng’s site, and got maybe a little itty bit contentious at times.

But what if you don’t have a good space to write? Or you need to get out of the house/office? Well, if you live in an urban area, there may actually be writer’s studios available to you. Over at About.com, the fiction channel covers some urban area’s studios spaces.

I adored looking at pictures of other’s writing spaces, offices and couches alike. Feel free to post a link to yours!