In this Issue:

• "Welcome" - Dan Case, editor
  
• Feature "Delivering the Goods" by Kathleen Ewing
  
• 59 Paying Markets - High, Medium, and Low
  
• Feature "The Nuts and Bolts of Collaboration" by Jackie King

Want to contribute to this newsletter? We are a paying market. Read our guidelines for contributors here: http://www.writingfordollars.com/wfdguidelines.cfm

Welcome

Have you checked out our new article database? We added more articles since last week, now nearly 400 articles from past issues are available to search and read. Find just the right information you need to make a few more bucks in the new year.

Don't forget our database of writer’s guidelines is readily available to everyone for FREE! All links have been checked within the last year (the date that they were last checked is listed) so you can be sure to have the most up-to-date information.

Be sure to watch for even more features in the next few weeks.

Here are the top-selling writing books at AWOCBooks.com - FREE SHIPPING on selected books! ($2.95 value)

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3. THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO WRITING & SELLING MAGAZINE ARTICLES 2nd Edition by Peggy Fielding and Dan Case. FREE SHIPPING!
   
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7. BE YOUR OWN BOOK DOCTOR: So You Can Cure What Ails Your Writing by Robyn Conley.
   
8. JUMPSTART YOUR WRITING CAREER & SNAG PAYING ASSIGNMENTS by Beth Erickson.
   
9. BOB BLY'S FREELANCE WRITING SUCCESS (How to Make $100,000 a Year as a Freelance Writer and Have the Time of Your Life Doing It) by Robert W. Bly
   
10. THE RIGHT WAY TO WRITE, PUBLISH AND SELL YOUR BOOK by Patricia Fry
    

Dan Case, editor
editor@writingfordollars.com (put WFD in the subject line)

Finally! After all that market research and querying you've done, an editor has requested that you send your manuscript. Don't go out and spend the money just yet. And don't celebrate, either. You've merely dangled the hook. You haven't landed the fish. There are still at least a half dozen ways you can blow it.

1. E-mail: You forget to convert your beautifully formatted document to plain text. When it arrives on the editor's desktop, it looks as if a committee of gremlins has edited it, with ampersands, tiny rectangles and other strange symbols sprinkled throughout. Your editor's first reaction is, "Yuck!"

Solution: After you convert your document to plain text format, e-mail the piece to yourself to get a better indication of how it will appear electronically. True, it may not look the same on the editor's computer system. But this beats just throwing it out there in whatever format you created it.

2. Spelling: You are an excellent typist and you won the county spelling bee when you were ten. Confident of your ability, you send your manuscript on its way without that one last spell check or proofread. You look at it the next day and discover three grammatical errors in the first page.

Solution: The very last thing you do before saving your file should be a computer spell check to catch those errors your eyes refuse to see. Follow that with a final proofread-out loud. You are so familiar with what you think you have written you tend to overlook what is actually in print. If you can't stand the sound of your own voice, go to www.readplease.com and download the free software which will allow your computer to read the document aloud to you.

3. Enclosures in snail mail: In your cover letter, you tell the editor you are enclosing photos or a CD, and then you forget to do it.

Solution: Below your signature on the cover letter, type "Encl:" and a list of all the items you are including with your submission-article; sidebars; photographs with captions; a CD with your article in electronic format. Place all your enclosures on top of your cover letter as soon as you print it. Check off those items as you place them in the envelope.

4. Electronics: I recently lost a sale because I forgot to double check a CD to be sure the photos I thought I had burned onto it were actually there.

Solution: Always check those CD's to make sure your content arrived. Open each item to be certain it is intact and usable.

5. Critical information: Does your article have a title? Your byline? A brief mini- bio? All your contact information clearly printed at the top of your manuscript? Provide editors every possible way to contact you: address, P.O. box number, home phone, cell phone, fax and work phone. Editors can't buy when they can't contact you.

Solution: As the final step, go back through your piece and make sure all those crucial peripheral items are there.

6. Snail mail: You forgot to identify the envelope and now your piece is lying in the darkness in a pile of unsolicited submissions cuddling up to a warren of dust bunnies.

Solution: Go to Vista Print (www.vistaprint.com) and design yourself a self-inking stamp that says "Requested Material" in a simple font as large as possible. Request red ink. Stamp your envelope one time about three-quarters of an inch above the editor's name. Pre-stamp your entire stack of submission envelopes. That eliminates the problem and obligates you to fill those envelopes with manuscripts.

The ultimate solution to nagging mistakes that can cost you a sale is to create a simple checklist of all the processes you must complete before you send in your manuscript. At the end of your list, leave a blank space where you can write in the reward you will buy yourself when you receive that juicy paycheck.

© Copyright 2008, Kathleen Ewing

Kathleen Ewing is a freelance writer who lives in the central mountains of Arizona where she enjoys hiking, horseback riding, four wheeling and target shooting. Among her more recent credits are articles in Art Calendar Magazine, American Falconry, Funds for Writers and Hobby Farms Magazine. You can visit her site at www.nothingbinding.com/writer/kathleen-ewing.html

• AARP The Magazine - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance. Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments. Subjects: Finance, health, food, travel, consumerism, general interest, profiles or first-person accounts. 

• Alaska - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Natural history, human history, adventure, sportsman. 

• ANALOG Science Fiction - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance.  Seeks nonfiction, fiction. Subjects: Science Fiction. 

• Coastal Living - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: For those who live or vacation on our nation's coast. 

• Contingencies - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction. Subjects: Insurance, risk management, actuaries' involvement in public policy. 

• Diablo - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Travel, food, homestyle, and profiles in Contra Costa and parts of Alameda, Oakland and Berkley. 

• Emmy - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments. Subjects: Contemporary issues and trends in broadcast and cable television, programming, VIPs, new technology . 

• Family Business - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Family-owned businesses, estate planning, sibling rivalries, cousin jealousies. 

• Golf Tips - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Golf Instruction. 

• Good Old Boat - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Accepts simultaneous submissions.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Boat sailing. 

• Granta - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, fiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Essays, photo essays, travel stories, short stories. 

• High Country News - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Rocky Mountain West, the Great Basin, and Pacific Northwest environment, rural communities. 

• HONOLULU - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Hawaii related, personality profiles, historical events, sports, politics and lifestyle trends. 

• Ms. Magazine - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Politics, social commentary, popular culture, law, education, art and the environment.. 

• Native Peoples - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Native peoples of North America. 

• Outdoor Canada Magazine - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, fillers, photos/artwork. Subjects: Outdoor issues in Canada. 

• Preservation - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction. Subjects: Preservation of historic buildings in the US.. 

• Runner's World - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Distance running, training, health and fitness, nutrition, motivation, injury prevention, races. 

• Sail - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Sailing. 

• Scouting Magazine - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance.  Accepts simultaneous submissions.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, fillers, photos/artwork. Subjects: Scouting activities for adult leaders of the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing. 

• Texas Highways - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Texas travel, scenery, history, small towns, and out-of-the-way places. 

Medium - $125 - $500

• ADDitude - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction. Subjects: Attention-Deficit Disorder . 

• Brain, Child - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, fiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Motherhood . 

• The Cattleman - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance.  Seeks nonfiction, fiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Cattle range/pasture, property rights, animal health, water, new innovations and marketing.. 

• Ceramics Monthly - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Ceramic art and craft. 

• Christianity Today - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments. Subjects: Christianity. 

• Girl's Life - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Of interest to girls 10-15. 

• InSite - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, fillers, photos/artwork. Subjects: Christian, camping, heath, safety, fund raising. 

• Italian America - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Accepts simultaneous submissions.  Seeks nonfiction. Subjects: Italian-American culture. 

• Kitplanes - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Homebuilt aircraft. 

• Law and Order - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Law enforcement. 

• Monitoring Times - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Amatuer radio. 

• Mushing - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, fiction, columns/departments, fillers, photos/artwork. Subjects: Dog-powered sports. 

• Naval History - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction. Subjects: Naval history. 

• New Hampshire Magazine - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Accepts simultaneous submissions.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: New Hampshire lifestyle, economic development, commerce, and diverse culture. 

• Paint Horse Journal - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Paint horse owners, breeders and trainers. 

• Parents Press - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Bay-area parenting. 

• Persimmon Hill - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Old West. 

• The Plain Truth - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction. Subjects: Bible solutions to real problems . 

• Presbyterians Today - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Presbyterian Church. 

• Proceedings - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction. Subjects: Naval operations, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard issues. 

• Rock & Gem - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Rockhounding field trips, how-to lapidiary projects, minerals, fossils, gold prospecting, mining. 

• Science of Mind - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Accepts simultaneous submissions.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, fillers, photos/artwork. Subjects: Science of mind, Bible, scriptures, spiritual. 

• St. Anthony Messenger - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance.  Seeks nonfiction, fiction, fillers. Subjects: Catholic; Church and religion; marriage, family and parenting; social; inspiration. 

• T'AI CHI - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: martial arts, T'ai Chi Ch'uan, qigong, Chinese , acupuncture, herbs, acupressure, tuina, daoyin. 

• Today's Christian Woman - Guidelines:  Pays on acceptance.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments. Subjects: Spiritual living, family, friendship, faith, marriage, single life, self, work, health. 

Low - Less than $125

• Ancient Paths - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, fiction. Subjects: Subtle Christian. 

• Brazzil - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Brazzilian Culture. 

• The Christian Century - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, fiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Progressive protestant clergy, people, and lay. 

• The Comics Journal - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments. Subjects: Industry news, interviews, reviews of current comic book works. 

• Country Folk - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, fiction, fillers, photos/artwork. Subjects: History and true stories of the Ozarks. 

• County Kids - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, photos/artwork. Subjects: Connecticut parent tabloid. 

• CQ Amateur Radio - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Amateur, ham radio. 

• Escapees Magazine - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, fiction, photos/artwork. Subjects: Escapee RV members, RVing. 

• On Mission - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction. Subjects: Christian missions. 

• Open Spaces - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Accepts simultaneous submissions.  Seeks nonfiction, fiction, columns/departments, fillers, photos/artwork. Subjects: General interest. 

• Review for Religious - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction. Subjects: Catholic, church, theological, spiritual, canonical. 

• Rural Heritage - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Seeks nonfiction, columns/departments, fillers, photos/artwork. Subjects: Farming and logging with draft animals, horses, mules, and oxen. 

• Skydiving - Guidelines:  Pays on publication.  Accepts simultaneous submissions.  Seeks nonfiction, fillers, photos/artwork. Subjects: Skydiving. 

Writing with friends can be wonderful! It can also be hazardous to your sanity. Collaboration most resembles marriage. If passion and joy and excitement blind you from clear vision, you’re apt to run into problems when you enter into a union without careful thought. Unnecessary grief can be avoided by planning with your head instead of with your heart. Before jumping into (a writing) bed with anyone, especially your best friend, make sure you have that all important document: a carefully thought out Contract Between Writers

Beginning

Collaboration starts with an idea. Maybe you’re at a meeting, or at the grocery store, or putting on your makeup and suddenly you know what would make a great anthology. The subject could be quilts, or a specific genre, or a season of the year. Topics, of course, are endless. Or perhaps you want to join another writer and create a nonfiction book, a novel or another writing project. After all, two heads (or three or four) are better than one. But there are many pitfalls, even for the most amiable people.

Make careful plans before starting your collaborative effort. Remember that the word itself means that others will be involved in decisions regarding “your baby.” Sometimes it’s hard to take direction when it comes to the fruit of your imagination. But solutions to problems can be dealt with before they arise if you have a written contract that is agreed upon and signed in advance by all involved. Consider the following four things before choosing (or agreeing to join) collaborative partners:

1. The personality and ability of each writer involved in this project.
2. Their experience.
3. Each person’s special skills and possible contributions.
4. Geographic areas involved. Sometimes face to face meetings are necessary and even if you’re doing the collaboration mostly by email, every participant must be willing to drive to a central meeting spot when required.

Collaboration Is a Business Venture

Jointly agree upon or appoint a lead writer. Often this person is the writer who came up with the original idea. If the project is your idea and you want this responsibility, tell the other writers that you will be in charge. The lead writer will:

1. Draft the writers’ Contract or Agreement before any work has started.
2. Decide on deadlines, ie: When a synopsis, draft chapters and final draft of the project are due.
3. Make the final decision in any dispute. (You must be comfortable with the fact that this person can veto your special idea.

Writing the Contract

It's always good to nclude these specific points when writing the contract.

1. Give the Lead Writer’s name, responsibilities and the extent of this person’s authority.
2. Appoint or agree upon one member to track all queries, acceptances of queries, partials and/or full manuscripts that are sent. That person will email updated copies to fellow writers as needed. Using a spreadsheet is recommended, but a notebook will also work.
3. State how many queries each member is required to send.
4. Address what each writer is expected to do in regard to promotion after the project is published. For example: Each writer is responsible for setting up three book signings and/or speaking engagements where books may be sold, during the first six months.
5. Give required progress for each writer. Specify how many pages are due and when they are due.
6. The date the finished manuscripts are due.
7. An agreement that everyone will edit each other’s copy, with the Lead Writer having final editorial control (or not).
8. Mention: If the project isn’t accepted by a New York publisher, does the project go to a small publisher, then to a print-on-demand company or finally self-publish?
9. Agree on who will get quotes for the cover of book. In our group we each acquired one quote.

Discuss the Contract Before Signing

Be candid when discussing the contract before signing. Bring up any questions or possible problems as early as possible and discuss them thoroughly. After agreeing upon the wording for a contract the final version should be mailed to each person to consider for at least one day. Writers should read the proposed contract carefully before signing, to make sure each member really intends to follow each point promised.

If you don’t like something in the contract, say so. Ask that a certain phrase or wording be changed and explain why. Others may agree with you. (Don’t sign with fingers crossed and then wait until later and try to do as you please.)

Final Points to Consider

• Be a peace-maker. You’re not going to get your way about everything.
• Guard against factions. It’s in everyone’s best interest to keep things congenial, above board and honest.
• Don’t wear your feelings on your sleeve. If no one agrees with your opinion on a particular idea, let it go. You can write a project on your own later and do as you please.
• Turn in your copy on time.
• Meet on the agreed upon dates for all logistical discussions at a specified place.
• Stay within the agreed upon word-length. If you can’t, ask the Lead Writer to read your story and cut it to fit.
• MAKE THE PROJECT FUN!

Don’t let the above tips make you draw away or hesitate to collaborate. Working with other writers can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life. Plan your project wisely and carefully—then write together and have a party creating your joint project.

© Copyright 2008, Jackie King

Jackie King has collaborated with other writers on two Foxy Hens books. The latest, Foxy Statehood Hens and Murder Most Fowl was published by Deadly Niche Press in 2007. The first anthology Chik~Lit for Foxy Hens was published by Diva in 2006. Jackie King’s novella Flirting at Fifty won second place in the 2006 More Than Magic contest.