GoNOMAD, a resource for travel writers.

From the GoNOMAD website:

GoNOMAD is always looking for talented, dedicated travel writers, photographers and researchers to join our team.

We welcome queries and articles from professional travel writers and travelers with a strong writing style and something unique to share with our audience. We pay for articles that are high quality, informative and provide useful guidance for a future traveler. 

Stories should be anywhere from 800 to 2,000 words long. but most of the stories we use are best at about 1400 words.

GoNOMAD pays $25 for features that are sent to us with good photos, captions and the word file.

GoNOMAD also offers some travel writing tips as well as specific department needs, guidelines for queries, submissions, and photography. They suggest that you sign up for their free newsletter.

YOUR OUTLOOK by C. Hope Clark

 YOUR OUTLOOK

Misery seems to love company. I’ve received so many emails from readers who have been taken advantage of by magazines and publishers in recent months. They seem to be multiplying.

Especially in these weird economic times, we feel the need to complain. After all, who has anything to cheer about? If we walked into the office, a classroom or the local bar and said it’s a great day, someone would throw something at us.

Much of the reason we become freelance writers evolves around taking control of our lives. Many employees, working for a boss, feel as though they’re living a life scripted or prescribed by others. We dream of taking the leap, so we run the show.

So why aren’t we?

We choreograph our own dance. What’s to stop you from saying you won’t take the negative anymore? Here are my suggestions:

1. Turn off the news. Reporters become almost orgasmic over the dropping Dow, a crooked CEO or a misspoken politician. As the pundits yell and announce late-breaking financial disasters, our blood pressures spike. Mute them out of your day.

2. Get away. I know you can’t afford a vacation. Go to the bookstore or the library. I go outside. Change your environment to brainstorm about what you can do differently with your writing career. Come home and note dates, deadlines and measurable benchmarks to determine your success.

3. Let it pass. If an editor hasn’t paid you, and the cost of pursuing the publication outweighs the payment owed you, let it go. Write it off your taxes. Don’t rant for days on every blog you subscribe to. It won’t make you feel better.

4. Quit complaining. When we dwell on the bad, the mindset hangs like a low, gray winter cloud over our heads. Stop every negative comment. For some weird reason, we love gathering with like souls to rant about what’s wrong in our lives. We love to talk about everything screwed up or malfunctioning from the weather to prices, from politics to religion, from the neighbors to our coworkers, from our

friends and relatives to people we don’t even know. Remember curse jars? Set up a jar and put a nickel in it each time you put down anything or anyone.

For some reason, we want to prove to people we’re having a tough time. What’s wrong with showing people we’re actually okay? How about content? It’s not trendy to be happy, and that’s sad.

Start conversations with good ideas, notions of success or comments of something pleasant. The positive will instill confidence in you, in others, and empower you to make the best of 2009. You might find this year is when you recreated yourself into something better.

 - Hope

 C. Hope Clark

hope@fundsforwriters.com

http://www.fundsforwriters.com

FundsforWriters is an online resource for writers. You can be a thirty-year veteran or a part-time wannabe, but here at FundsforWriters (FFW), we consider you a writer none-the-less.

We attempt high quality and we remain true to our original intent – provide PAYING markets for writers. Our ads must touch upon a writer’s world, and we shy away from generic and get-rich-quick affiliates.

And when we endorse a product or a book, we believe in it.

YouPublish.com

Fellow writers…

 

Mark Victor Hansen (of Chicken Soup) has just launched a very author-friendly e-book/multimedia content distribution site at YouPublish.com.

 

No fee to set up, no fee to upload your files, 50% commission on all sales, and you can set your own prices.

 

I’ve uploaded both Just Past Oysterville, and Shoalwater Voices as eBooks there.

 

Blessings,

 

-Perry

Take a Chance

Take a Chance By Doreen Rosevold
Thirty two years ago, I packed my two babies into the car, drove to a local small town newspaper office and handed over an envelope addressed to the editor. It was a day that changed my life and the lives of my family. It was the day I became a writer.

In the envelope was a letter to the editor and three writing samples. I asked in the letter to be considered as a “fill in” if one of the newspaper’s regular columnists went on vacation. The writing samples were opinion pieces with quirky twists of humor — results of writing alone, late into the night, and beyond caring what anyone else thought. I was broke, tired, desperate for adult conversation, and needing a way to bring in some income while I helped my husband on the farm.

“Delivering that envelope was not based so much on hope as it was an elimination of a dream”, I told myself as I drove home that day – humiliated and regretful that I had actually taken such a major risky step.

Later that evening, the editor called. “How you would like your own column?”

I cried.

Beginning with my first columns, opportunities came from unexpected corners. I eventually had my column run in ten small weekly newspapers and a small regional magazine. Then it was purchased by a large farm magazine, Farm and Ranch Guide. I have written a column for them for twenty six years now.

Writing my column has also brought about other opportunities for writing and for speaking. Taking advantage of one opportunity brings about other opportunities. My writing has been included in anthologies, alumni magazines, travel magazines, and reprinted by newspapers. I’ve ghostwritten autobiographies, self-published books, and political speeches.

In becoming a writer, I’ve learned these things that others might find useful:

1. Take chances. Rejection eventually hurts less and if you don’t try, how will you know what wonderful things await you?

2. Shut the door on that negative inner voice that tells you that you shouldn’t or can’t become a writer.

3. Look at every opportunity. You will be surprised where it will lead you.

4. Don’t burn any bridges. Be honest, prompt, reliable, and do your best.

5. Find your voice. There is an audience somewhere for you. It might not be a major publisher but there are others who will appreciate what you have to say and how you say it.
I may never make a television appearance or write a best-seller (but who knows?), or be confident enough to totally let go of my more-traditional employment, but I have been able to do something I love – communicate with others through writing — and make decent money doing it.

And those two little girls who made that fateful ride into town to deliver that envelope so long ago? They eventually became three little girls who have now grown up and had their college educations paid for by mom’s writing opportunities.

Doreen Rosevold is a freelance writer from Mayville, North Dakota. Her column, “Farm Wife Diary” appears in the Farm & Ranch Guide. She has been the author of a syndicated column called “As I see It” and has ghostwritten political speeches, an autobiography, co-authored the book “From Stinker to Thinker”; contributed to the anthology, “Treasury of Farm Women’s Humor”; has written brochures, and various newspaper, alumni and regional magazine articles.

Can Self-Published Authors Land Traditional Contracts?

Can Self-Published Authors Land Traditional Contracts? Heck, Yeah! By Angela Hoy

I keep hearing the same question: “If I self-publish, can I still land a traditional publishing contract?” Yes, you absolutely can!

On Monday, I received a note from a fiction author who said an agent told him he can’t land a traditional contract if he self-publishes. We told him that was hogwash.

A few minutes later, I was notified that we lost yet another book to a traditional publisher. That keeps happening! Rickey Pittman received an offer for his self-published book, Stories of the Confederate South. This wasn’t anything new for Rickey. Read his past success story HERE.

While many in the industry, including agents, poo poo the idea of an author landing a traditional contract after self-publishing, they’re not looking at the facts. It’s actually easier to get a traditional contract if you’ve self-published and been successful than it is to blindly submit a manuscript with no sales under your belt. Many authors who have failed to get published traditionally have self-published, sold lots of books, and then landed traditional contracts because they could easily prove there was a market for their book (thus eliminating one of the risks for the traditional publisher).

Here are just a few former BookLocker.com authors who landed traditional contracts after self-publishing through BookLocker:

Peace Between the Sheets by Marnia Robinson (Frog, Ltd. / North Atlantic Books)

Extra-dimensional Universe by John R. Violette (Hampton Roads Publishing Company)

Carl Melcher Goes to Vietnam by Paul Clayton (Thomas Dunne Books) Read Paul’s success story HERE.

The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Surviving Boot Camp by Michael Volkin (Savas Beatie)

The Supreme Court Opinions of Clarence Thomas, 1991-2006 by Henry Mark Holzer (McFarland & Company) Read Henry’s success story HERE.

The Art and Craft of College Teaching: A Guide for New Processors and Graduate Students by Robert Rotenberg (Left Coast Press)

The Snow Goose by Rita Hsu Syers (will be released for the 2007 Christmas season)

DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM: Holding to Faith When Life is Unfair – The Story of Joseph by Ronnie McBrayer (Smyth and Helwys Publishers) Ronnie just landed a traditional contract, only two months after self-publishing his book!

Tom Douglas, author of Some Sunny Day Read Tom’s success story HERE.

Kathy Sanborn, author of the ebook Grow Your Own Love Read Kathy’s success story HERE.

Next week, I’ll talk about authors who do not seek out traditional publishing contracts because they are making so much money selling books on their own. If you’re one of these authors and would like to be featured in my article, please send an email right away to: angela – at – writersweekly.com

Angela Hoy is the co-owner of WritersWeekly.com and BookLocker. WritersWeekly.com is the free marketing emag for writers that features new paying markets and freelance job listings every Wednesday. According to attorney Mark Levine, author of The Fine Print, BookLocker is one of the top-rated POD publishers (rated “excellent”) in the industry.

This article may be reprinted/redistibuted freely, as long as the entire article and bio are included.

The Power of an Apology

 Hey everyone,

Last week I had to do something I hate doing, something I’m not particularly good at, something I probably don’t do often enough…I had to apologize.

I misread a review of one of my novels and, in a fit of self-righteous pique; I posted a response on the reviewer’s blog, stating in no uncertain terms what I thought about it.

The reviewer posted back an equally terse reply, basically telling me to grow up (which, as it turned out, wasn’t such bad advice.)

Once I’d had a chance to calm down, have a cup of coffee, pet the dog, etc, I re-read the original review and, much to my chagrin, realized that I’d misunderstood the writer’s attempt at a bit of humor, and had responded inappropriately.

Actually, even if the reviewer’s comments hadn’t been tongue-in-cheek, I’d still responded inappropriately!

So, striving against my nature, I bit my lip and posted an apology, outlining my misinterpretation, and admitting that, no matter what, my response had been juvenile.

Luckily, this reviewer had a better grasp on his temper (and his sense of professionalism) than I had shown. He accepted my apology, and even went so far as to repost to the review, clarifying that his remark had been satirical.

THEN, he ordered a copy of another novel to review!

Talk about being humbled!

What I could have just left as a whiney, defensive comment for the world to read and judge me by, became an opportunity to create a relationship, garner a new customer, and even get some additional (positive) publicity for my books!

The reason I’m posting this is that I read a great article this morning by my favorite marketing guru, Shel Horowitz. I get Shel’s monthly eNewsletter “Frugal Marketing Tips” and the February issue is titled, “Rebuilding A Business Relationship That Went Bad.”

Shel’s experience mirrored my own so closely that I figured many of us, in the day-to-day mosh-pit of running our own writing business, had probably thrown a few elbows we wish we hadn’t.

I wish I’d read this two weeks ago, lol!

So, take a look at the article and good luck. I’m going to get another cup of coffee and see if I can wash the taste of crow out of my mouth.

Till next time,

-Perry

PS – There’s lot’s of other top-notch info on Shel’s site, and you can sign up for any of his free monthly newsletters there as well. It’d be time well spent!

The Writer’s PDA

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THE WRITER’S PDA
By Perry P. Perkins

It was a day that changed my life. Does that sound overly dramatic? If so, I don’t apologize…I’m a writer.

Honestly though, I’d spent years scoffing at my friends who carried around PDA’s in their shirt pockets, constantly tap, tap, tapping away at their little screens.

It was a fad, a gadget, an expensive toy. I had more important things to do with my time and money.  Unfortunately, most of my valuable time was spent searching through stack of unfiled papers and notes, leafing through rejection letters and trying to keep track of what I had written, who I had sent it to, and what they’d had to say about it. 

Then a friend called and offered to sell me his Palm Pilot.

Walking Your Muse

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Walking Your Muse
By Perry P. Perkins

“Spend time every day listening to what your muse is trying to tell you”
- Saint Bartholomew

If you are anything like me (though I’m certainly not accusing you of that) you’re a burgeoning writer who spends much of your time trapped in a small room, staring at a computer screen and praying for enlightenment.My writing room/kennel/coat closet holds many wonderful memories…a few triumphs, a few failures, and any number of finished pages that I can look back on with pride and a wonderful sense of accomplishment. The only problem is, short of a rejection letter avalanche, the scenery seldom changes.

After long hours at the keyboard, those four walls can start to close in, becoming a creativity deprivation chamber. The same old sounds: the whir of my computer, and the hum of the overhead fan. The same old smells: the aroma of books and paper, a whiff of potpourri from my wife’s chambers (also known as the rest of the house) and the occasional, unwelcome contribution by my basset hound, Phlash.  In this void of sensory input, nothing is refilling the reservoir of creativity that I’m pouring into my work, and both begin to dry up.

In the deafening absence of typing, I grab a jacket and a leash, and head out the door.

On a walk, I can get a latte, find a park bench, read an article, and just watch the world go by. The constant flow of sights, sounds and smells stimulates my creativity; seeing a car with a funny bumper sticker go by, the smell of rain on warm pavement, or the sway of cedars against a blue sky. My senses become more attuned, bringing new thoughts, and queuing old memories.

After a while, my muse cracks an eye, yawns, stretches, and finally comes awake, demanding a swallow of my coffee. Soon, that guy in the funny hat becomes the quirky doorman in my current short-story, the shriek and warble of a police siren weaves its way into my novel.

The reservoir is filling back up.

In fact, this very moment we (my muse and I) are sitting on a park bench in a light morning fog, Phlash at our feet, reading this month’s issue of a favorite writer’s magazine and sipping a strong Italian espresso.

Here are some suggestions we’ve come up with on taking your muse for a walk:

1. Consider walking alone.
This is a personal issue, but I find that my most creative times come when it’s just my dog and me. He never wants to talk about the bills, or painting the house, or where we want to go for dinner (though I’m sure he has suggestions), and it doesn’t seem unfair to expect him to keep quiet while I struggle to find a funny way to use the word weasel in a new article.

More importantly, he usually thinks my ideas are great, seldom comments on my sentence structure, and always wags at my jokes.

Note: If you want to be a happy, successful, married writer, it’s a good idea to plan some additional walks with just your spouse and leave the recorder at home. The dog is optional.

2.  You’ll need a means of tracking your thoughts.
I recently traded in my old cassette dictation machine for a compact digital recorder. I’ve found the digital to be so much more diverse in allowing me to store my thoughts in separate project folders on my computer, rename files so I can quickly find them later, and not have to hassle with fast-forwards and rewinds to find the note I’m looking for.

On the moderately priced Olympus model that I chose, I can even take a low-resolution photo to capture those scenes that even a thousand words might not have brought back to me.

The recorder, digital or tape, allows you to get a thought down quickly without losing yourself and the “feel” of the moment, trying to find the perfect words (that part comes later.)

My original plan was to minimize the number of gadgets I carry by combining a recorder with a MP3 music player. After much comparison shopping I was disappointed to find that most of these devices focus more on the music and less on the voice recorder, often burying that feature in a second, or even third submenu, making it complicated and, ultimately, frustrating to use.

Finally, I decided that I’d tough it out and just pack the extra two ounces when I wanted music as well. That kind of suffering is good for the writer’s soul.

3. Find a quiet place, but not too quiet.
Make sure there’s enough going on to invoke the senses. Try to find a location where other people’s conversation will not disrupt you, and where you are not interrupting others by taking notes (I tend to get self conscious about recording my ideas in public, and nothing will send the muse into hiding as quickly as embarrassment).

I like to walk as varied a route as possible, through a busy section of town to a quiet park or playground, a shady spot along the river, or an outside table at a coffee shop.

This is not a place for “finish work” but an opportunity to create new ideas and expand on current projects; ideas that you’ll fine-tune in the quiet of your writing space, undistracted, and with your reference materials at hand.

So, if the walls of your office are starting to close in, or if your creative pool has become dusty and leaf-littered, try taking your muse for a walk.

Give her some fresh air and sunshine, buy her a cappuccino, and be ready to write down what she has to say…

***

Perry’s Bio

Perry P. Perkins was born and raised in Oregon.  His writing includes the inspirational novels: “Just Past Oysterville,” “Shoalwater Voices,” and the eBook, “The Light at the End of the Tunnel.” Perry is a student of Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild and a frequent contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies.

Perry’s work can be found online at http://www.perryperkinsbooks.com/

Permission is given to copy this article for ezines, newsletters, as web-sites as long as bio and link to my website are included.

Writing Tips: Perry’s Favorite Links

Writing Tips: Perry’s Favorite Links