PNN, BrightHub and eHow

I'm off to a late start this morning, so I'm going to keep this really brief.

PNN (People's News Network)

I've signed up for a PNN page and so should you. Check my page out at LauraSands.pnn.com (no www on the url) and take a look around PNN, in general, and you'll see why.

Writer's Needed!

I've just started as a Contributing Editor with www.BrightHub.com on the Blackberry Channel. Great site and I love writing for them, but we need more articles (and I need more content to edit). Please, if you have any knowledge of Blackberry (at any level), we'd love to have you write for the BB Channel. You can apply directly on the Blackberry Channel and please be sure to let them know that Laura sent you. Check out one of my articles to see just how easy it is:

http://www.brighthub.com/mobile/blackberry-platform/articles/9516.aspx

eHow

Lastly, I blogged yesterday about eHow and WriterGig (a fellow writer who has published an eBook teaching us how to earn a very decent passive income with eHow). Well, WriterGig's earnings on eHow have jumped, yet again. With very little work in August, she earned nearly $1,000.00! Check out her blog post for more information on how she did it as well as to purchase her eBook and learn about an affiliate program associated with the book.

That's it for me today, gotta get busy!

Toodles!

Are You Writing For eHow?

Well, you should be.

In case you're not familiar, eHow.com is a site featuring "how to" articles on just about every subject imaginable.

I signed up for their Writer's Compensation Program not long ago and even contributed a little to the site, but haven't really thought much of it since. Actually, I wanted to get hired with Demand Studios (aka DS) which pays upfront for eHow articles (as opposed to the revenue sharing offered in the eHow Writer's Compensation Program), but after applying with DS, I received a polite brush off...something to the effect of "don't call us, we'll call you". So, I wrote a couple of articles solely to familiarize myself with the process and prove that I could do it.

Recently, however, I've learned that there are people who are making a very nice passive income with eHow. A particular writer, known in online writing circles as WriterGig, has produced an eBook detailing how such is done. Here's an example of one of her eHow articles that offers a little more detail.

While you won't get rich with eHow, articles take a matter of minutes to write and, I imagine, if you wrote a few each day, in a few months WriterGig's formula for success could create a few extra dollars in your PayPal account. With the state of the economy being what it is today, who's willing to turn that down?

~BabyBlogger

Write faster!

Learning how to write faster is one of the crucial skills needed for a freelance writer. Writing faster is particularly important for a freelancer who wants to make a profit writing web content. However, I'm one of those that stares at the computer screen while scratching her head in confusion each time I read about a writer churning out articles in 20 minutes or less. I've tried and tried and tried to write faster, but it seems the best writing time I could ever produce an article in was maybe an hour and a half. Did you hear me, people? An hour and a stinkin' half per article...and THAT was my top speed! Good grief, talk about feeling like I belonged on a short bus.

I realize now that my issue with writing faster has been that I edit while I write and I agonize over trying to write my best copy on a first draft (only to rewrite it a bazillion times when I'm done). I also mentally tell myself that article writing is a large task which makes me go into instant procrastination mode. I'm going to insert an extra whine here and say that I also think that the Internet has given me a very severe case of ADD. At any given moment, I easily have 5 to 10 tabs open on my browser and each connects me to forums, websites and other eplaygrounds where I can waste hours of time or, at the very least, which can drag me away from an article at the slightest feeling of frustration. Ok, maybe I can't really claim that the Internet gave me ADD, but if you've spent any amount of time on the web at all, you can certainly identify with the fact that if you want to be distracted, the web is happy to supply you with everything you need to be good and so.

(And, already, I'm all off topic. See!)

Anyway, so I had to cop to having writing issues. Even though I wanted to write faster, I was slow and didn't really believe that I could write any faster. Or at least that was the case before I read Jim Estill's article on CopyBlogger on How To Write An Article In 20 Minutes.

I tell you, this article did it for me. In my search to learn how to write faster, I'd read other articles which seemed to say the same thing, but something about Jim Estill's article just clicked with me. Maybe I was finally ready to accept that I, too, could learn to write faster or maybe it was my wit's end determination that gave me the boost that I needed. Can't tell you what made the CopyBlogger article stand out with me, but stand out it did!

The very next day I was determined to write faster while letting the words roll off of my fingers without editing, without thinking too hard and without listening to the voice in my head telling me to skip on over to another site whenever I hit a snag. I was a woman with a writing faster plan, with focus and with inspiration and, guess what? I was actually able to turn out 2 articles in 45 minutes! Overnight, I was able to write faster! So what that I was 5 minutes over my goal. The fact is that I was able to write twice as much in half the time it normally took me to write just one 500 word article!

Since then, I've been tapping into my speed zone pretty regularly. I've learned that writing faster doesn't necessarily mean writing perfect. I've learned that it's ok to be stuck, but it's better to jump to another of my own unfinished articles (or start another one) than to abandon my writing and head out to the world wide web and read someone else's copy. In fact, when I finished my first draft for the first 2 articles, I actually realized I had a total of 5 that I was working on. In the span of 45 minutes, my creativity was kicking in and new ideas for new articles were flowing. As the ideas came, I opened up new documents and began jotting them down. Then, when I finished the two articles, I had 3 more that were already partially written and just needed a little extra focus. I've been writing for a long time, but never have I been able to write as fast and as freely as I did after reading the CopyBlogger article.

Ah, what relief a little inspiration can bring...thanks, Jim!

Free Online Writing Classes!

This, you can't afford to miss: 10 Universities Offering Free Writing Courses Online

Enjoy the rest of your week!

~BabyBlogger

THIS JUST IN

Received this in my inbox today and thought some of you may be interested:tain Arts®

Happy New Year, and welcome to the winter edition of the Blue Mountain Arts Editorial Department newsletter! You’re receiving this because you’re part of the select group of writers who have participated in our market review process in the past 24 months. We receive thousands of poems every year, and less than ten percent are chosen for inclusion in our market review, so just making it to that stage really is an accomplishment. It shows you can write the kind of material we’re looking for -- words that connect with people on deeply emotional and intellectual levels and enable them to convey to their friends, family, and loved ones the feelings they themselves can’t always express.

This issue includes a special announcement about one of our new projects and reminders about our upcoming deadlines. Enjoy!

Be Part of Our New Inspirations Series

Blue Mountain Arts is working on a new book series, and the editorial staff needs your writing talent! Each book in the series will include inspirational stories and wisdom relating to different regions of the U.S. , countries, and cultural groups. We are interested in your non-fiction essays that capture each heritage or region -- stories that only could have happened in the South, for example, or stories that reflect an important value of the French lifestyle. Maybe you have fascinating stories your grandma told you about her childhood in Ireland , or a funny anecdote about your hometown in Indiana that made you say, “Only in the Midwest !” If so, please submit them!

Entries should be between 225 and 375 words long and should end with a pithy saying that sums up the inspirational message. Examples of these sayings might include: “A good attitude is like kudzu -- it spreads” (Southern Inspirations) or “When a problem arises, it’s wise to take the bull by the horns” (Midwestern Inspirations) or “There’s no luck like the luck of the Irish” (Irish Inspirations) or “Everything has an end; only sausages have two” (German Inspirations).

Planned Titles:

• Heartland Inspirations (the Midwestern United States )
• Southern Inspirations (the Southern United States )
• Irish Inspirations
• French Inspirations
• German Inspirations
• Native American Inspirations

If your story is selected for inclusion in this book series, you will receive a one-time payment of $50 for anthology rights upon publication.

Please submit your writings by e-mail to write4us@sps.com by February 15, 2008. Be sure to put the title of the book for which you are submitting in the subject line. There is no limit to the number of essays you can submit!

Calendar

• January 28, 2008 Mother’s Day poetry submissions deadline
• February 15, 2008 Inspirations series essay submission deadline
• March 10, 2008 Father’s Day poetry submissions deadline
• June 30, 2008 Next poetry contest deadline (see

http://www.sps.com/poetry/index.html for

details)

Words of Inspiration for Writers

There are two worlds: the world that we can measure

with line and rule, and the world that we feel with

our hearts and imagination.

-- Leigh Hunt

A poem is a thought so passionate and alive, that,

like the spirit of a plant or an animal, it has an architecture

of its own, and adorns nature with a new thing.

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

To write well is to think well, to feel well, and to render well;

it is to possess at once intellect, soul, and taste.

-- Comte de Buffon

*********************************************************

The editorial staff of Blue Mountain Arts would like to thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. We’d love to hear your questions, comments, suggestions, or ideas for future issues, so please feel free to write to us at write4us@sps.com. You can also e-mail us to request previous issues of our newsletter or if you’d like us to remove your name from this mailing list.

Copyright © 2008 Blue Mountain Arts, Inc. All rights reserved.

Happy New Year and Happy Writing, Everyone!

~BabyBlogger

Rejected!

Just a quick update on my Blue Mountain submissions. As you'll recall back in October of last year, I had several poems accepted for their 2 year market review process. Sadly, each and every one was rejected less than a year later. :(

I was hopeful, of course, that they'd all make it, but I was confident that at least one would. Not so, but such is life, right? When I first got the news, I was pretty bummed. I really, really, REALLY want to be published with Blue Mountain. So, what's my next move? Why, I'll just submit more, of course! :)

I've been working on finishing 2 books and a website for women in business. I also have plans to publish my own greeting card line after these projects are completed. In between all of this, however, I'm determined to be published with Blue Mountain, so I'll write more prose, submit them all and keep you posted on the results.

In other news, I know I've been away for a while, but I'm still writing and, hopefully, you all are too. Here are a few links that you may find useful:

There's still time to register for the 6th annual Funds For Writers Essay Contest. More information HERE.

Also, be sure to register for the Life In The USA $1,000.00 Essay Contest. More information on registration can be found HERE (NOTE: Registration is absolutely free!).

And don't forget to check out the Funds For Writers website for many more money making opportunities for freelance writers. If you're not already receiving their newsletter, be sure to sign up for it pronto! Editor C. Hope Clark does an excellent job of keeping us up to date on what's available to help fund our efforts to keep writing.

This blog entry is being sponsored by Nice Hotels (pronounced "Neice Hotels" for those of us not fluent in French, lol). Whether you're looking for a holiday flat, a charming bed and breakfast accommodation or even a regular hotel stay while in Nice, France, be sure to check out Nice Hotels before you make your final arrangements.

Of course, there's much to see and do in France and, just today, an announcement was made that several museums are participating in an experiment to offer free admission in an attempt to attract more diverse audiences to their exhibits. For more information on which museums are participating in this experiment, read the ABC News story HERE.

One of the oldest Mediterranean cities in the world rich in both history and culture, Nice is a great vacation destination any time of the year. And don't forget that every vacation experience offers a new publishing opportunity as a Travel Writer. So, whether you're planning on visiting France for business, pleasure or a little bit of both, be certain to visit Nice Hotels and select the accommodations that will work best for your needs and your pocketbook.

Thanks for tuning in and Bon Voyage!

~BabyBlogger

(Photo of the Splendid Hotel in Nice, France courtesy of the Cheaper Than Hotels website)

Have Pen, Will Travel

As vacation season gets underway, I wonder how many of you have considered being a travel writer? Imagine being able to merge your passion for travel with your writing career. Well, that's exactly what freelancers like Flo Connor have done (you can also check out Flo's website on travel writing HERE).

Here are a few markets which publish travel articles:

www.fly2dc.com
www.coastresorts.comwww.estateswest.com
www.porthole.com
www.travelandleisure.com
www.islands.com

And, speaking of island travel, this entry's sponsor is none other than:

Hawaiian Beach Rentals where you can check out great deals on renting a Kauai Vacation Condo

If you're planning a trip to Hawaii this summer (or any time, really...cuz Hawaii's great all the time!), consider renting a Kauai Vacation Condo instead of a hotel. There's nothing like feeling at home when you're away from home, which can be a little difficult when staying at a hotel. Many who go this route find it to be a far more comfortable experience as they have their own kitchen amenities and a lot more room to move about and relax as opposed to the confines of a hotel room or suite. Many have their own backyards and/or patios which are also great for writing those travel articles while watching the sunset, barbecuing or even relaxing without the interruptions of other guests.

However, if a Kauai Vacation Condo isn't for you and you'd still like to book a hotel room, Hawaiian Beach Rentals can help as well. Other vacation packages are also available, so if you haven't done so already, head on over to Hawaiian Beach Rentals and do a little comparison shopping before you book a costly hotel on the island.

Aloha and happy writing from the road!

~BabyBlogger

It's Never Too Late!

Need a little inspiration? At 96 years old, Harry Bernstein has published his first book, "The Invisible Wall".

Read all about Harry's story in this AP article.

Enjoy!

~BabyBlogger

More Markets

A few more to share:

Marriage Partnership

Reader's Digest (Canada)

Common Ground

AdBusters

~BabyBlogger

A Few Markets to Share

I just offered these to another freelancer looking for markets possibly paying for stories from an African perspective and markets accepting religious topics. Thought I'd post them here in case anyone else is interested:

http://www.africanvoices.com/c-submn.htm

http://www.charismamag.com/guidelines.php

www.christianitytoday.com

http://www.essence.com/essence/writers_guidelines

http://aar.slu.edu/submsinf.html

http://writersmarket.com/Search/consumermagazine_display.aspx?marketid=1947&ManuscriptId=0

http://commonties.com/blog/submit-a-story/

Enjoy!

~BabyBlogger

Keyboards Aside...It's Party Time!!!

So what, it's the middle of the day and you still have 10 pages to write. Every now and then, ya gotta live a little. Sooooooooooo...

Party at Caveman's House!!!!!!

And, yes, the rumors are true. I was asked to leave (well, not exactly asked...more like TOLD), but not before I did a little snooping through his diary, his blog, his email, listened to his answering machine, eavesdropped on his roommate, short-circuited his electricity, listened to his iPod, fiddled around in his bathroom (couldn't resist flushing!) and pretty much busied myself with all of his business. Hope he's ready when you get there, but if not, you know what to do...

And tell him BabyBlogger says, "No hard feelings, but I still believe the bearskin rug was one heckuva fashion statement (and he didn't have to put me out, it was ONLY a suggestion! lol)"

Have A Story To Tell?

Found a great site, thanks to Lavinia's post at AbsoluteWrite. An interactive blog, Common Ties wants to publish your personal stories (and the pay looks pretty good if accepted). Enjoy reading the stories there and then submit, submit, submit!

~BabyBlogger

New Friends

If you use MySpace, you may want to add the following to your list of friends:

Writer's Digest Books http://www.myspace.com/wdbooks
Writer's Market http://www.myspace.com/writersmarket
Writer's Digest http://www.myspace.com/writersdigest
CWIM's Alice Pope http://www.myspace.com/alice_cwim

Or I suppose you could just drop by from time to time and take a look around even if you don't MySpace. ;)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

~BabyBlogger

P.S. if you have a MySpace devoted to writing, please comment and list your page. We'd love to add you too.

News From Blue Mountain Arts

I received their first newsletter for writers today and would like to share a little info with you all.

First of all, BMA has (or is in the process of?) introducing a new line of cards. The Thoughts of Life (TM) line features shorter verse on the front of the card...like 10-12 lines and then just a few lines inside of the card. So if you're interested in submitting to them, keep this in mind.

Also, the deadline for Father's Day submissions is 3/19/07. My impression was that everyone goes through a 2 year market review process, so I'm not sure how the deadline thing works. I mean, if it takes up to 2 years for full acceptance, why is there a seasonal deadline? If anyone knows the answer to this we are, of course, interested. If you're interested in submitting for Father's Day, also bear in mind that they're looking beyond cards for dad, but are also interested in cards for stepdads, in-laws, sons, husbands, etc. As well as cards that can be sent to any man (i.e. cards for your next door neighbor who is a dad, but not your dad nor fills that role for you in any way...just a generic Happy Father's Day wish for any other male/dad). I would think dad's to be, godfathers, uncles and foster fathers would be good to write for too.

Lastly, the newsletter also announces their semi-annual poetry contest is now open for submissions. The deadline is June 3oth and all information for the contest and more is featured on their website.

Happy writing to all of you!

~BabyBlogger

ON A DEEPLY PERSONAL NOTE

Yesterday morning, I received a phone call that my son was in an accident. He'd played a show in Hollywood the night before and he and the band spent the night at my mom's house so as not to have to drive home late at night. Well, Sunday morning it was pouring down rain and the car he was riding in lost control, went into another lane, was hit by another car there and knocked into another lane where it was struck by a second and a third car before flipping over one and a half times. His car went from the diamond lane all the way over to the right shoulder of the freeway where it landed on its right side (his side) halfway through the second flip.

Praise God with me please, because my son was the one to call me! Yes, he is perfectly fine. He, his friend who was driving and the other cars that they hit (and were hit by) are perfectly fine (the rest of the band was following them in another car and were, thankfully, not involved in the accident). The car he was in is totaled, but they all walked away without injury!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God honors prayers and I just wanted you all to know this and praise Him for He is awesome, incredible, merciful and full of grace!

A couple of years ago, some of you may recall, my son also walked in on our house being burgularized. He came face to face with two strangers in our home (and he was alone) and was able to escape from them (they headed towards him when he walked in presumably to do harm), again, by the grace of God! So, remember to pray for your children, nieces, nephews, their friends and everyone you love, because God really does listen.

The effectual fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much. James 5:6

What's Up? No, I mean really...what is "up"?

Found this little bit of cleverness online and thought I'd share it with all of you. Enjoy!:

English is a Crazy Language!

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce.

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present .

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither fromGuinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

PS. - Why doesn't "Buick" rhyme with "quick"

You lovers of the English language might enjoy this .

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is "UP."

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report ?

We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car . At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.

And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.

We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP ! To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. I f you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP

When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP

When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP

One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP , for now my time is UP, so............ it is time to shut UP ..!

The Process of Progress

I've been hard at work on my book for new women entrepreneurs. In doing so, I've also sought a little advice on conducting email interviews for some of the special women I plan to feature. One site, Poynter Online, I've found to be quite helpful in providing tips for such interviews. Of course, the face to face or even telephone interviews are still the preferred method, but many writers are finding that the email interview is just as effective. Has anyone any experience in this arena? If so, we'd all love to hear your thoughts, comments and tips if you'll be so kind as to share.

To coincide with the book, I've also started a website (which I'll unveil to all of you once it's fully functional) where I'll also be able to feature my greeting cards. You may recall that I'm preparing to launch my own line in the near future. Since my joy at having my work accepted by Blue Mountain, I do admit I've had to fight the urge not to submit every card I've written since to them and other companies. Every time I write a new card, I think to myself, "Money now? Or continue working on my long term business goal?" For now, the latter is winning. ;) Hopefully, I'll have the line ready to present to the public in June. Thus far, I've been learning a lot about the business and am looking forward to what lies ahead. I think I've shared a few articles on the subject before, but here's one that I reviewed lately offering advice to new greeting card owner wannabes that you may find interesting too.

And speaking of cards, my proud sponsor for this journal entry http://www.wedding-needs.com/baby_shower_invitations.asp is offering some of the sweetest baby shower invitations that I've seen in a long while. If you or someone you know is expecting a new baby, be sure to check them out before making a decision on shower invitations or birth announcements. If you've found that special someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, but you're not quite at the baby stage just yet, http://www.wedding-needs.com/baby_shower_invitations.asp also offers advice on wedding planning and budgeting, including hosting an inexpensive wedding reception! This site has it all, including engagement party and wedding invitations, place cards, thank you cards, anniversary invitations, announcements for all of these occasions and a variety of gifts too. In fact, I'm heading over to http://www.wedding-needs.com/baby_shower_invitations.asp as I've yet to find a gift for a 75th wedding anniversary celebration I'm attending next month. That's right, I said 75 years! Woo hoo!!! Every married couple should be so blessed to live AND love for 75 years. Takes work, patience, strength and a whole lotta effort, but I hope all of you enjoy at least that long with the one you love.

Gotta go, but great writing success to all of you this week and thanks for tuning in.

~BabyBlogger

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

I'm still alive and kickin'! LOL

I've been keeping busy working on a new website and writing a book on women in business (I'll post more on both once their done). I've also been working on creating new greeting cards and learning as much as I can about self-publishing my own line.

The holidays are upon us, however, and though I haven't posted much lately, I just wanted to log on and wish everyone a very happy holiday.

Thanks for tuning in and hope everyone has a prosperous new year!

~BabyBlogger

Get The Book!

By now, most of you know that AbsoluteWrite is one of my all-time favorite sites for writing. Their forums should be renamed the Freelance Writer University, for the high degree of information, education and wisdom offered by seasoned writers there. If any of you have spent any time at AW, however, you may have noticed a private member's only room for greeting card writers. To gain access to that particular forum, you'll have to purchase the owner's (Jenna) ebook on greeting cards, which you may do here. For a mere $9.95, not only do you get a very helpful book, but you get further insight from actual writers making a living in the greeting card industry once you access the boards. I recently did so and have already received an impressive ebook and have been given a warm reception by all of my new friends on the forum. I highly recommend the book and the forum to all of you seeking to penetrate the industry too.

For those of you who are into writing contests, I got an interesting email from a company called FanStory.com. It appears to be a membership site which runs several contests a month for various prizes. As well, they offer feedback on all of your submissions, which you may find useful. For more information on their contests, fees, etc. you can access their site here.

Hopefully, you've all been keeping up with Michael Stelzner's Blog (Did you know that Michael's website offeres a forum too?) on Writing White Papers. I found some helpful advice on writer's block there a couple of weeks ago. My favorite was the one on setting low standards for yourself and just writing whatever crappy stuff comes to mind...okay, that's not exactly what blogger, Susan Weiner, said, but you get my drift, lol. I've been using this advice lately and have managed to hammer out quite a few pages of really bad writing that I'm proud to say now exist for the rewrite. I actually set my timer for like an hour and just write non-stop before taking a break and it works!

Gotta get back to work now. I've been building a website and writing a book (both regarding women entrepreneurs), which keeps me pretty busy these days. Thanks to everyone for stopping by and have a great weekend!

~BabyBlogger

Accepted!!!

Blue Mountain Arts has just sent me a contract to run 6 of my poems on a test market and I couldn't be more excited!

As expected, the test takes 24 months, but once ultimately accepted, I'm at $300 per work (the scale goes up from there to $700 per work). They don't specify where the test market is, but for those of you reading this, if you see my name (Laura M. Sands) on any Blue Mountain Art products...you know what to do!

I originally submitted 20 works, so the 14 that were rejected will be published in my own greeting card and gift line that I'm currently working on establishing.

Anyone else interested in submitting to Blue Mountain can request their guidelines HERE.

Hope you all have your own good news to share today and thanks for stopping by!

~BabyBlogger

Whew, Firefox!

Okay, so after a million people recommended it, I finally downloaded Firefox and, yes, my sidebar is now where it should be. I admit I still use Explorer for everything else (old dog, new tricks...you know how it goes, lol), but when I don my BabyBlogger identity, I'm Firefoxin' my way down Blogger Lane. If anyone is having similar sidebar issues, I highly recommend switching to Firefox for your viewing pleasure.

And speaking of recommendations, please check out my links now appearing in my properly placed sidebar. I've only got a few up right now, but they're great ones and more are to follow.

~BabyBlogger

Check your traps!

When you have several irons in the fire or, in freelance speak, submissions pending, be certain to check for your own publishings. Around the same time I started this blog, I submitted a newbie article to LifeToolsForWomen.com on making money with words. I never heard back from the Editor and hadn't checked out their site in a while, so I had no idea my piece had been published. While checking my visitor statistics here, I found that people were actually accessing this blog from a link published with the article. I have no idea how long it's been up. It wasn't a paid piece, but I got the warm fuzzies upon discovering my baby there all the same. Check it out when you get a chance, but more important (to you at least) is a reminder to regularly check out the markets you submit to because you never know. ;)

Speaking of making money with words, I came across another paid blogging site called Blogsvertise. I requested feedback from the ladies at WAHM.com, but didn't get much of a response initially. However, I checked back today and discovered another topic devoted to them with a greater response. For those of you interested in paid blogging, do read the thread and check them out.

My word of caution for the day, however, is to please beware of getting stuck with paid blogging, content writing, etc. I understand that the fast money helps, but my greatest desire is for all of us to go so much further with our writing careers. I'm not knocking such work (not completely, that is), but please don't get stuck in the rut of depending on them, and ONLY them, for income from your writing. Your work is worth far more than what they pay! So, start with them...or even use them to pay off a few bills from time to time if you must, but please continue to write and submit to greater markets. Promise?

Hope everyone enjoys a great weekend!

~BabyBlogger

Is It Worth It?

Now and then when I tell others that I'm a freelance writer, I get that, "Oh you poor thing" look. For some, freelance writer translates into starving writer. Some of you may be able to relate (not to the starving part, but to the misconceptions some hold about the profitability of this business). Well, Lynn Wasnak wrote an excellent article in Writer's Market detailing the rates for various freelance markets. Whether you're looking to prove disbelieving folks wrong or if you're just trying to figure out what to charge for your next project, Lynn's research is sure to assist.

She writes:

The following report cites current fees paid to professional writers for their work. This report is based on input from sales finalized in 2003 and 2004 only. The data is generated from voluntary surveys completed by freelance members of numerous professional writers' and editors' organizations and specialty groups. We thank these responding groups and their members for generously sharing information. Also, we welcome any writers who would like to contribute their rate experience to request a survey anytime. Your figures will be included in the next edition of Writer's Market. Request a survey from lwasnak@fuse.net.


ADVERTISING, COPYWRITING & PUBLIC RELATIONS


Advertising copywriting: $150 high/hour, $43 low/hour, $83 average/hour; $4,500 high/project, $215 low/project, $1,273 average/project; $2 high/word, $1 low/word, $1.50 average/word.

Book jacket copywriting: $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $67 average/hour.

Campaign development or product launch: $125 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $76 average/hour; $7,500 high/project, $1,500 low/project, $3,740 average/project.

Catalog copywriting: $150 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $70 average/hour.

Copyediting for advertising: $55 high/hour, $33 low/hour, $40 average/hour.

Direct-mail copywriting: $125 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $78 average/hour; $15,000 high/project, $500 low/project, $5,000 average/project; $2 high/word, $1 low/word, $1.50 average/word.

Event promotions/publicity: $100 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $80 average/hour.

Fundraising campaign brochure: $100 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $85 average/hour; $2,000 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $1,500 average/project.

E-mail ad copywriting: $95 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $62 average/hour.

Political campaigns, public relations: $150 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $85 average/hour.

Press kits: $100 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $86 average/hour; $5,000 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $2,334 average/project.

Press/news release: $125 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $74 average/hour; $500 high/project, $125 low/project, $280 average/project.

Public relations for businesses: $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $73 average/hour.

Public relations for government: $60 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $50 average/hour.

Public relations for organizations or nonprofits: $100 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $60 average/hour.

Public relations for schools or libraries: $100 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $85 average/hour.

Speechwriting/editing (general—based on 30-minute speech): $167 high/hour, $85 low/hour, $110 average/hour; $6,000 high/project, $2,700 low/project, $4,064 average/project.

Speechwriting for government officials: $125 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $76 average/hour.

Speechwriting for political candidates: $150 high/hour, $60 low/hour, $92 average/hour.


AUDIOVISUALS & ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS


Book summaries (narrative synopsis) for film producers: $800 low/project; $1,161/15-minute speech, $1,934/30-minute speech, $3,666/60-minute speech.

Copyediting audiovisuals: $85 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $53 average/hour.

Business film scripts (training and info): $100 high/hour, $65 low/hour, $84 average/hour; $500 high/run minute, $100 low/run minute, $300 average/run minute.

Educational/training film scripts: $100 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $60 average/hour; $500 high/run minute, $100 low/run minute, $300 average/run minute.

Corporate product film: $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $70 average/hour; $500 high/run minute, $100 low/run minute, $300 average/run minute.

Movie novelization: $10,000 high/project, $5,000 low/project, $7,500 average/project.

Radio editorials & essays (no production): $70 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $60 average/hour.

Radio commercials/PSAs: $85 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $56 average/hour.

Screenwriting (original screenplay): $97,068 high/project, $52,705 low/project, $74,887 average/project.

Scripts for nontheatrical films for education, business, industry: $100 high/hour, $55 low/hour, $75 average/hour; $5,000 high/project, $3,000 low/project, $4,083 average/project; $500 high/run minute, $100 low/run minute, $300 average/run minute.

TV news story/feature ($1,201 Writers Guild of America minimum/story): $100 high/hour, $70 low/hour, $90 average/hour.

TV scripts (nontheatrical): $150 high/hour, $70 low/hour, $100 average/hour; $1,000 high/day, $550 low/day, $800 average/day.

TV scripts (teleplay/MOW)—TV scripts 30 minutes or less average $6,535/story, $19,603 with teleplay; TV scripts 60 minutes or less average $11,504/story, $28,833 with teleplay: $500 high/run minute, $100 low/run minute, $300 average/run minute.

TV commercials/PSAs: $85 high/hour, $60 low/hour, $73 average/hour.


BOOK PUBLISHING


Abstracting and abridging: $35 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $33 average/hour.

Anthology editing: $3,000 high/project, $1,200 low/project, $2,050 average/project.

Book proposal consultation: $150 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $69 average/hour; $500 high/project, $350 low/project, $425 average/project.

Book proposal writing: $100 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $73 average/hour; $12,500 high/project, $2,500 low/project, $5,857 average/project.

Book query critique: $50 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $38 average/hour.

Book query writing: $500 high/project, $120 low/project, $200 average/project.

Children's book writing (advance against royalties): $4,000 high, $800 low, $2,760 average.

Children's book writing (work for hire): $75 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $63 average/hour; $5 high/word, $1 low/word, $3 average/word.

Content editing (scholarly): $63 high/hour, $23 low/hour, $43 average/hour; $10 high/page, $4 low/page, $6 average/page.

Content editing (textbook): $63 high/hour, $19 low/hour, $42 average/hour; $5 high/page, $3 low/page, $4 average/page.

Content editing (trade): $100 high/hour, $15 low/hour, $49 average/hour; $6 high/page, $3.75 low/page, $4.75 average/page.

Copyediting: $60 high/hour, $17 low/hour, $34 average/hour; $7 high/page, $2 low/page, $4.20 average/page.

Ghostwriting, as told to—Per project figures do not include royalty arrangements, which vary from publisher to publisher: $100 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $55 average/hour; $100,000 high/project, $10,000 low/project, $40,555 average/project.

Ghostwriting, no credit: $113 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $67 average/hour; $100,000 high/project, $7,500 low/project, $37,091 average/project.

Indexing: $40 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $35 average/hour; $8 high/page, $2.35 low/page, $4 average/page.

Manuscript evaluation and critique: $150 high/hour, $20 low/hour, $56 average/hour; $2,000 high/project, $200 low/project, $840 average/project.

Nonfiction book writing (own—advance against royalties): $100,000 high, $1,000 low, $25,475 average.

Nonfiction book writing (collaborative—advance against royalties): $160,000 high, $2,000 low, $33,750 average.

Novel synopsis (general): $60 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $51 average/hour.

Proofreading: $45 high/hour, $15 low/hour, $25 average/hour; $3 high/page, $1 low/page, $2.25 average/page.

Research for writers or book publishers: $100 high/hour, $17 low/hour, $44 average/hour.

Rewriting: $200 high/hour, $20 low/hour, $62 average/hour; $15,000 high/project, $3,000 low/project, $8,500 average/project.

Translation (fiction): $10,000 high/project, $7,000 low/project, $8,500 average/project; 12¢ high/word, 6¢ low/word, 9¢ average/word.

Translation (nonfiction): 15¢ high/word, 8¢ low/word, 10¢ average/word.

Translation (poetry): $15 high/page, $0 low/page, $7.50 average/page.


BUSINESS


Annual reports: $125 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $81 average/hour.

Associations and organizations (writing for): $150 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $67 average/hour; $17,600 high/project, $250 low/project, $5,130 average/project.

Brochures, fliers, booklets for business: $100 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $72 average/hour; $6,000 high/project, $330 low/project, $2,276 average/project; $375 high/page, $125 low/page, $271 average/page.

Business editing (general): $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $59 average/hour.

Business letters: $100 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $74 average/hour.

Business plan: $100 high/hour, $88 low/hour, $94 average/hour.

Business-writing seminars: $200 high/hour, $65 low/hour, $83 average/hour; $3,500 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $2,250 average/project.

Catalogs for businesses: $90 high/hour, $60 low/hour, $78 average/hour; $10,000 high/project, $2,000 low/project, $5,000 average/project.

Consultation on communications: $150 high/hour, $60 low/hour, $98 average/hour; $1,200 high/day, $500 low/day, $850 average/day.

Copyediting for businesses: $100 high/hour, $24 low/hour, $52 average/hour; $4 high/page, $2 low/page, $3 average/page.

Corporate histories: $100 high/hour, $75 low/hour, $92 average/hour; $160,000 high/project, $30,000 low/project, $84,375 average/project; $2 high/word, $1 low/word, $1.50 average/word.

Corporate periodicals, editing: $75 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $63 average/hour.

Corporate periodicals, writing: $100 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $79 average/hour; $2 high/word, $1 low/word, $1.50 average/word.

Corporate profile: $100 high/hour, $75 low/hour, $85 average/hour.

Ghostwriting for business (usually trade magazine articles for business columns): $150 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $95 average/hour.

Government research: $75 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $60 average/hour.

Government writing: $75 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $55 average/hour.

Grant proposal writing for nonprofits: $80 high/hour, $19 low/hour, $57 average/hour; $3,000 high/project, $1,800 low/project, $2,400 average/project.

Newsletters, desktop publishing/production—Per project figures based on four-page newsletters: $100 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $73 average/hour; $3,800 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $2,520 average/project.

Newsletters, editing: $100 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $59 average/hour.

Newsletters, writing: $125 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $73 average/hour; $5 high/word, $1 low/word, $2 average/word.


COMPUTER, SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL


Computer-related manual writing: $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $67 average/hour.

E-mail copywriting: $100 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $76 average/hour.

Medical and science editing: $100 high/hour, $21 low/hour, $54 average/hour; $4 high/page, $3 low/page, $3.50 average/page.

Medical and science proofreading: $100 high/hour, $20 low/hour, $44 average/hour.

Medical and science writing: $150 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $75 average/hour; $5,000 high/project, $2,500 low/project, $3,750 average/project; $3 high/word, 50¢ low/word, $1.71 average/word.

Online editing: $75 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $50 average/hour; $4 high/page, $3 low/page, $3.50 average/page.

Technical editing: $75 high/hour, $21 low/hour, $42 average/hour.

Technical writing: $160 high/hour, $68 low/hour, $84 average/hour.

Web page design: $75 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $56 average/hour; $4,000 high/project, $500 low/project, $2,000 average/project.

Web page editing: $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $62 average/hour.

Web page writing: $120 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $73 average/hour; $1 high/word, 50¢ low/word, 80¢ average/word; $150 high/page, $50 low/page, $100 average/page.

White Papers: $125 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $89 average/hour.


EDITORIAL/DESIGN PACKAGES


Desktop publishing: $150 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $65 average/hour.

Greeting card ideas: $300 high/card, $25 low/card, $125 average/card.

Photo brochures: $75 high/hour, $65 low/hour, $70 average/hour.

Picture editing: $100 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $70 average/hour.

Photo research: $70 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $48 average/hour.


EDUCATIONAL & LITERARY SERVICES


Educational consulting and designing business/adult education courses: $200 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $87 average/hour; $20,000 high/project, $600 low/project, $7,700 average/project.

Educational grant and proposal writing: $100 high/hour, $19 low/hour, $51 average/hour; $2,500 high/project, $600 low/project, $1,550 average/project.

Manuscript evaluation for theses/dissertations: $95 high/hour, $20 low/hour, $50 average/hour; $1,550 high/project, $250 low/project, $700 average/project.

Poetry manuscript critique: $200 high/hour, $75 low/hour, $100 average/hour.

Presentations at regional writers' conferences: $10,000 high/event, $50 low/event, $200 average/event.

Presentations to local groups, librarians or teachers: $250 high/event, $35 low/event, $112 average/event.

Readings by poets, fiction writers (highest fees for celebrity writers): $3,000 high/event, $50 low/event, $200 average/event.

Short story manuscript critique: $150 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $75 average/hour.

Teaching college course/seminar (includes adult education): $335 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $70 average/hour; $25,000 high/project, $500 low/project, $2,000 average/project; $550 high/day, $150 low/day, $367 average/day.

Writers' workshops: $284 high/event, $60 low/event, $123 average/event.

Writing for scholarly journals: $450 high/article, $155 low/article, $300 average article.


MAGAZINE & TRADE JOURNALS


Article manuscript critique: $100 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $55 average/hour.

Arts reviewing: $300 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $142 average/hour; $1.25 high/word, 25¢ low/word, 75¢ average/word.

Book reviews: $500 high/project, $25 low/project, $133 average/project; $1 high/word, 5¢ low/word, 44¢ average/word.

Consultation on magazine editorial: $200 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $103 average/hour.

Content editing: $60 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $43 average/hour; $6,500 high/issue, $2,000 low/issue, $4,250 average/issue.

Copyediting magazines: $95 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $43 average/hour.

Fact checking: $80 high/hour, $15 low/hour, $45 average/hour.

Ghostwriting articles (general): $175 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $100 average/hour; $3,500 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $2,167 average/project; $1.50 high/word, 80¢ low/word, $1.08 average/word.

City magazine, calendar of events column: $150 high/column, $25 low/column, $75 average/column.


Consumer magazine column: $3.50 high/word, 30¢ low/word, $1.35 average/word; $500 high/column, $100 low/column, $317 average/column.

Consumer magazine feature articles: $3,000 high/project, $300 low/project, $1,325 average/project; $5 high/word, 25¢ low/word, $1.61 average/word.

Magazine research: $100 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $67 average/hour; $150 high/item, $100 low/item, $125 average/item.

Reprint fees: $1,500 high/project, $100 low/project, $568 average/project.

Proofreading: $50 high/hour, $20 low/hour, $41 average/hour.

Rewriting: $95 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $50 average/hour.

Trade journal column: $70 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $56 average/hour; $1.50 high/word, 60¢ low/word, 90¢ average/word; $550 high/column, $100 low/column, $340 average/column.

Trade journal feature article: $200 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $122 average/hour; $3.34 high/word, 26¢ low/word, $1.03 average/word.


NEWSPAPERS


Arts reviewing: 60¢ high/word, 10¢ low/word, 37¢ average/word.

Book reviews: 60¢ high/word, 25¢ low/word, 40¢ average/word.

Column, local: $300 high/column, $25 low/column, $150 average/column.

Copyediting: $35 high/hour, $17.50 low/hour, $25 average/hour.

Feature: $1,000 high/project, $85 low/project, $410 average/project; 75¢ high/word, 25¢ low/word, 57¢ average/word.

Obituary copy: $225 high/story, $35 low/story, $112 average/story.

Proofreading: $22 high/hour, $18 low/hour, $20 average/hour.

Stringing: $400 high/story, $78 low/story, $288 average/story.

Syndicated column, self-promoted (rate depends on circulation): $35 high/insertion, $4 low/insertion, $8 average/insertion.


MISCELLANEOUS


Comedy writing for nightclub entertainers: $50 high/joke, $5 low/joke, $38 average/joke.

Cartoons (gag, plus illustration): $575 high, $15 low, $100 average.

Craft projects with instructions: $350 high/project, $50 low/project, $200 average/project.

Encyclopedia articles: 50¢ high/word, 30¢ low/word, 65¢ average/word; $200 high/article, $50 low/article, $125 average/article.

Family histories: $40,000 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $5,000 average/project; $80 high/word, $30 low/word, $65 average/word.

Manuscript typing: $2.50 high/page, 95¢ low/page, $1.27 average/page.

Published plays: $100/10-minutes; $300/1-act; $400/3-act.

Résumés: $500 high/project, $200 low/project, $300 average/project.

Writing contest judging: $250 high/project, $0 low/project, $55 average/project.

So, as you can see, freelancing is worth it! Hopefully, Lynn has also helped some of you think of other niches you can explore. So, no excuses...write, write, WRITE...and may you be paid handsomely!

Take Care,

BabyBlogger

I've been completely fascinated with some personal research, so I haven't posted in a few days. Been submitting articles too, but no word back on any yet. In the future, I plan to query first and then write, as opposed to writing first and then querying. Right now, I feel like I'm collecting articles. LOL On some topics, however, I just can't help it. I get an idea, start writing, researching and, before I know it, I've completed yet another essay or article that I need to shop. I'm sure some of you can relate. Then there are all of the articles that I wrote for the magazine thing that I almost jumped into earlier this month. Right now, I'm up to my nose hairs in articles...but that could be a good thing, right?

I recently read about a company, Daily Candy, who grossed 8.9 million dollars in revenues last year by producing advertiser supported e-newsletters on what's hot in food, fashion, travel, etc. Can you believe it, 8.9 million!!! Yep, these articles I've collected will end up somewhere...trust me!

I'm also cleaning out my mailbox and came across an interesting call for writing mentors for youth mentees in my FundsForWriters.com newsletter. If you're interested in corresponding with a young person interested in a writing career, check THIS LINK out.

Okay, it's back to work for me right now, but I hope all of you are enjoying your writing and that the rest of your week is prosperous...and fun!

~BabyBlogger

Hearing Voices

Has anyone else struggled with their voice when writing? When I write, I'm really put off by the stiffness of my words (not necessarily here, but in my professional writing). I always feel like I'm writing a term paper or something. But when I edit and try to loosen things up a bit, I don't feel as though I'm being as effective. Does this make any sense? Ugh, I can't tell you how this irks me. Am I alone?

I guess I could always create my own language like Holly Lisle suggests, but then I'd have the burden of teaching it to the world or, perhaps, just to my readers (let's see, that would be mom, my best friend and about 5 others. Hmmm, this could work!). By the way, I just learned of Holly's site, but it seems like there is a lot of useful information for up and comings like us. Check it out and see for yourself.

I'm off for now, but here are a few random links before I go. Hope you enjoy and come back soon!

~BabyBlogger

Indispensable Writing Resources

Writing World

Writer Services

Brenda Bradshaw's Blog

Shoot For The Moon...

And, even if you miss, you'll be among the stars. (~Brian Littrell)

Well, that's what I've been doing lately...shooting for the moon. I'm working on selling several completed articles and coming up with new ideas daily. Admittedly, I feel a little overwhelmed at times, but even that feels good. I'm certain that, if I maintain my momentum and my focus, God will bring it all together into something I can be proud of.

Hopefully, all of you are keeping up with your passion as well. I know it can be difficult at times, but I encourage all of you to keep the faith that your gifts and talents aren't without reward. When you express yourself in a way that is natural to you and helpful or entertaining to the world, you make the world, in general, a better place to live.

The Princeton Review has presented a very informative career profile for writers. If you're struggling to find your way and define where you fit in, this article may help you to better understand the opportunities available through a writing career and give you a general idea of different salaries within the field as well. Remember, however, that your level of success depends almost entirely on your effort, so your results can be drastically different (hopefully, this means greater). For all of the details, read the article first and then click on the sidebar areas which will offer more detail. Bear in mind that this is a college oriented site, therefore there is also a lot of information pertaining to college majors, etc. It's not necessary that you have a college degree for all fields of writing, so don't feel discouraged if you don't.

A few other tidbits for you this morning:

First, FundsForWriters.com is sponsoring their 5th annual essay contest. Full information can be found HERE, but here's a brief description of the topics and prizes taken directly from their website:

Theme Topics (Choose One):

1. Someone has a a $5,000 grant open to writers. Only one writer can be selected. Write a narrative explaining why your writing is worth funding.

2. Most grants for writers are small. If you won a $1,000 grant designed to further a writer's career, how would you use it and why?

3. Where will you be as a writer five years from now? How will you get there?

4. If you were a mentor to a new writer, describe the who, what, when, where, why and how lessons of becoming successful. 'Successful' is your own definition.

Prizes:

ENTRY FEE Category
First Place - $150
Second Place - Complete Set of FundsforWriters ebooks and TOTAL Subscription
Third Place - TOTAL FundsforWriters Subscription

NO ENTRY FEE Category
First Place - $50
Second Place - Choice of Five FundsforWriters ebooks
Third Place - TOTAL FundsforWriters Subscription

There are several other income and funding opportunities available at FundsForWriters, so be sure to spend time checking the rest of their site out too.

If you're interested in learning more about essay writing and markets that will pay for your essays, visit WritingToHeal.com and take a look around.

And, hopefully, you're still regularly checking the job sites I listed in my July 22nd post Gigs, Clips and Tips. I don't know how I forgot it on that previous post, but Deborah Ng's, WritersRow site really is one of the best job sites available. You may also want to bookmark About Freelance Writing and keep your eye on Absolute Write's Paying Markets forum for frequent updates.

As always, I hope that you find this information useful.

May you reach the moon...or at least the stars, very, very soon!

Blessing to all,

BabyBlogger