More Websites Seeking Writers…

Last month 3 Questions…and Answers published an article about eHow.com seeking freelance writers of how-to articles. Since then, we have found several other websites that use freelancers to provide articles on all kinds of topic categories from do-it-yourself auto repair to cleaning your jewelry at home. We're going to compare four that have come to our attention: Suite101.com, HowStuffWorks.com, About.com and Knol.Google.com.

Are the writers screened or evaluated by the sites' editors?

Three out of the four sites do require that a writer apply before he starts posting content. HowStuffWorks wants to see a resume and published and unpublished samples as an application. The editors will respond to the writers they accept.

About.com writers are "Guides" and there's a two-step process to become one. First, you have to apply with an email detailing what topic you want to guide and why you would be the best guide for that subject. Your expertise and you writing skills will be evaluated. If the editors think you are qualified you'll go into the Prep program, which is a 17-day self-guided online training program with all the things you'll need to know to be a Guide. One task will be to build a sample "GuideSite" that the editors will evaluate and decide if you have what it takes to be a Guide.


Suite101 also requires you to apply for acceptance. The application includes areas like your field of expertise, if you've been published and where and why you want to write for Suite101. You also must include writing samples. The management will evaluate your application and offer a contract within 48 hours if they like you.

Google's Knol project is not evaluated professionally. The readers decide what is good or bad. In fact on Knol's FAQ page, it states, " The Knol site allows anyone to write and manage knols through a browser on any computer.…We don't edit knols nor do we try to enforce any particular viewpoint."

Will you get paid for writing for these sites?

Again it breaks down to three out of the four sites you will be paid something. Google's Knol project is the odd man out. Since there is no evaluation process, it stands to reason that there is no payment for articles published through Google's Knol project.

HowStuffWorks pays once an article is accepted. They assign the article to you and if they like it, they buy it. It is a work-for-hire contract. This means that HowStuffWorks owns the copyright, not you, so make sure this isn't an article you think you could place elsewhere before submitting.

Suite101's pay system is similar to eHow in that it is based on a ranking system. However, an added feature is that Suite101 contracts with Google AdSense to publish ads on all the stories. The contributing writers get a portion of the ad commissions. Suite101 says it averages among all their contributors to be an earning of approximately $4.15 per page viewed.


About.com compensates their Guides, too. Compensation is based on the number of views to your GuideSite or page. Each year, the editors look at your "page view growth" to set the compensation rate for the next year. If you have more views than the last year, your compensation rate increases. New Guides are guaranteed $725 per month. Some Guides make over $100,000 per year.

What do the editors expect from their writers?

About.com requires its Guides to publish two full-length articles every 14 days and to blog one to three times a week. The website didn't defined full-length article. On the web in general, articles average about 650-700 words.

Suite101's contract for contributing writers requires the writer to publish 10 articles every three months. The articles must be 400-600 words. You may publish more than that but since the editors are looking for detailed and well-researched articles, 10 articles in 12 weeks will likely keep you booked.

HowStuffWorks doesn't list a minimum publishing requirement for its readers. The site does state it seeks writers who can "finish assignments in a timely manner (typically two weeks from assignment to completion)" and who can "adapt to the HowStuffWorks voice and article structure."

Google's Knol project has no expectations of its writers.


You may ask if it is worth it to sign on with one or all of these sites. (I saw no mention of exclusivity being required.) The web is growing and changing like no other market on earth. With the exception of Google's Knol project, these companies have spent 10 or more years providing information to web readers. If you have the expertise, the time and the inclination to meet their publishing demands, then you should give them a try. You have nothing to lose.

3 Tips for Searching for Magazine Markets…and 10 Travel-Related Markets

When you're a freelance writer, you have to constantly search for more markets, better paying markets and markets that offer you more and better exposure. Knowing how to conduct a thorough market search is key to a freelancer's survival. Here are a few tips I've picked up from my own experiences and from other writers.

Why not mix it up?

Writers, especially beginners, write their words then look for the perfect spot for them. That works, but don’t forget to reverse the flow. Looking for a magazine where you would like to publish can open your mind to hoards of ideas and you never know when an editor might be waiting for you to come along. So when you find a magazine you like, drop an introductory email to the editor. If you have a story idea, include it briefly - one or two sentences - but if you don't, give a short list of appropriate credits. The editor could have a story waiting for a writer, but if he doesn't, you've opened a door for future queries and potential sales.

You read it, but can you write for it?

Never neglect your own favorite magazines when you're doing a market search. You already know who the target audience is. You know the tone and style and you know what's been covered before. A perfect match, don't you think? Of course, you can't convince an editor that you're right for his magazine just because you subscribe, but it will help to mention it along with your stellar bylines and sample clippings. He'll see the benefit in hiring a writer completely familiar with his readers.


How do you find guidelines online?

You should always go to a magazine's website directly to find the most up to date guidelines. Sometimes the editors spell out current needs or post an editorial calendar. So even if you use a directory like WritersMarket.com to find your list of magazines and a write up for each title, remember most directories update once a year, maybe twice and rarely quarterly. They can't afford to do it more often so your best bet for current information is on the magazine's own website.

Some magazines will make your life easy and put a button or a menu item saying "guidelines" or "submissions" on the front page. Others want you to prove you really want them and hide the guidelines somewhere in the depths of the web. If there is no front-page button or menu item, look for the FAQ page. The link to the FAQ page is usually on the front page or connected to the "Customer Service" page. I have found links on the "About Us" page. Often the "How do I write for (blank) magazine?" is listed with the answer either being the guidelines or having a link to the guidelines page. Another place to check is the "Contact Us" page. If you don't find full guidelines there, the magazine will often say something like "For submissions, contact…" and list an editor's email address.

Finally if you've checked all those pages and found nothing, see if there's a "site map" link on the front page. The link is either at the very top or at the very bottom of the page. Often magazines that are part of a publishing firm that publishes multiple titles will have one set of guidelines for all the magazines on its corporate website. The site map will show you how to access the corporate site and even where the guidelines page is on that site.

Many of the websites for the following travel-related magazines made me "prove" that I wanted their guidelines, but better me than you, right? Click the titles to go to the magazines' guidelines pages.

Adirondack Life - query only with clippings, break in point for new writers is the departments (1200-2500 words).
Alaska Magazine - e-queries preferred with detailed story ideas, all stories must be connected to Alaska and there are many topics and departments seeking content.
Backpacker Magazine - prefers e-queries with attachments or web links, lists different editors and emails for different departments, departments (100-1200 words) are a good break in point for new writers.
Internationally Living - seeks content for both website and magazine, focus is on living abroad at least part-time, seeks "postcards" for site, magazine seeks features 1500-2500 words, e-submissions preferred.
Lake Country Journal - seriously prefers e-queries and submissions, "we will work with 'hard copy' but will deduct re-typing costs from the contributor's payment," seeks a variety of articles but must be tied to the lake country region of the Midwest.
National Parks Magazine - query by mail with an SASE, seeks stories about threats to parks and wildlife, new trends in park use and others related to the national park system.
Northwest Regional Magazines - includes Oregon Coast and Northwest Travel, query by mail or email, new writers include clippings, no more than three story ideas at a time.
Transitions Abroad - seeks articles for its new webzine, including "the working traveler," study abroad, student travel, long term travel and budget travel, check out the site and guidelines for an extensive "do and don't list."
Travel + Leisure Magazine - query only by mail or through online form with no more than three story ideas at once.
Western RV News - an RV newspaper, lead time 9-12 months, query first through form online ONLY, currently seeking shorts (300 words or less) on RV events, destinations or "finds right off the freeway on their way to where they are going."










Remember: the deadline for "How did 9/11 affect your writing?" is Monday, August 25. See full guidelines here.

Want to Write Full Time?…3 Questions You Need to Answer

Whether pounding out the Great American Novel or traveling the world to report on the people and the happenings of the day or redefining the classic Hollywood blockbuster, all writers dream of quitting their day jobs to write full time. If you're pondering this dream, make sure your eyes are wide open before turning in your two weeks notice.

How much money do you need?

Yes, the image of the starving artist might be romantic, but how many of us really want to starve for our art? If you're going to quit you full-time job, make sure you have enough money to live for a year. Average your monthly bills for the last six months to a year. See what you can change, such as exchanging a $20 movie night to a $3 rental and a bowl of microwave popcorn. Realize that you will automatically reduce or eliminate expenses like gas and transportation costs or dry cleaning when you work from home, but things like health insurance premiums go up when you have to buy a private policy.

Research what freelance writers charge in your area and set your prices accordingly. "Getting Paid…How Much is Enough," published here in April, can get you started. Don't feel bad if it looks like a part-time job might help make the transition to full-time writer smoother. Everybody has to pay the bills and it won't be forever.


Are you a salesman?

The biggest challenge for a writer is selling himself and his work. Whether you're a novelist, poet or freelancer, you have to convince someone to pay you to write. The first step to making a sale is making contact. A market search will help you decide whom to contact and when.

The second step is to learn how to pitch everything from an article idea to a book proposal. "First Impressions…The Article Memo" offers a technique for pitching magazine article ideas, while "Promoting Your Book…Whose Responsibility is It?" looks at book marketing.


The third step is to stay organized. Sites like WritersMarket.com, WordHustler.com and Duotrope'sDigest.com all have features to help you keep track of your market contacts and your submissions so you don't flood one market while neglecting another.

How do you feel about diversity?

Writing and publishing a novel or producing a screenplay can take years so you must be able to make money with your writing in various ways.

The most obvious way to make money writing is in the magazine and newspaper market. This market has the advantage of being large. There are literally thousands of periodicals published daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly. The editors seek a variety of topics. If you can think it up, chances are there is a magazine or newspaper that will print it.

Another way to use your writing is in publicity or public relations for businesses or organizations. Typical uses for a freelancer are for press releases, brochures, newsletters and marketing plans. You may be able to use your contacts from your former job to secure these kinds of assignments.

Speech writing, tutoring, editing, and grant writing (for yourself or others) are other ways that a writer can make money with his writing, while working on his masterpiece.


Writing full time is not like taking a long, happy vacation. Juggling assignments so the bills will get paid takes skill, determination and discipline. It is a job and it isn't always easy. Are you up for the challenge?


ED. NOTE: Thank you to Cec Murphey for suggesting this topic.

Interview…with journalist/novelist Janice Harayda

"I was the book editor of The Plain Dealer (in Cleveland, OH) for a decade or so before I began thinking about writing a novel," says Janice Harayda. She began her journalism career while in college at the University of New Hampshire, where she won the Mademoiselle's Guest Editor competition, taking an editorial assistant position. She then worked at Glamour both as a writer and editor before taking the job in at The Plain Dealer.

Now she has two comedic novels - Manhattan on the Rocks and The Accidental Bride - published and has a third in the works as she continues writing freelance for magazines, such as Newsweek, P&S and New Jersey Monthly, and newspapers like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She also writes and edits for a book review site online.

We wanted to see how one person could work both sides of the publishing industry successfully. Fortunately, Harayda had time to tell us.

As what kind of writer does Harayda see herself?

"I am a novelist and a print and online journalist. I didn't toss aside everything I had learned about writing when I became a novelist," she says. "Instead I brought it with me."


She does, however, have a little bit of trouble balancing her freelance work and her fiction writing. Hers is a one-income household so freelance writing and magazine work, which brings in a check regularly, often commandeers time allotted for her next novel, which may not produce any income for years. She tries to strike a balance but admits she recently abandoned a memoir she had started about a summer in Scotland.

"Scott Turow wrote much of his first novel, Presumed Innocent, while riding a commuter train to his law office in Chicago from his suburban home. But I’ve always had trouble allocating my time so strictly," Harayda says. "It takes me a while to find my momentum each time I sit down to write fiction, and if I have only a few hours, I might not find it at all."

Still she sets aside weekends or vacation time and hopes nothing more pressing comes up. "I fit the fiction in around the other things, which sometimes means not at all."

Is editing a magazine much different than publishing a novel?

The primary difference in Harayda's eyes is the time span from idea to finished product. "If you’re a magazine editor with a wonderful idea for a story, you usually know right away whether you’ll be able to publish it before it gets stale," she explains. Magazine lead times are at the most months ahead, while publishing a book could take a year or more - if everything goes to plan.

"If you’re an author, you have much less certainty…so you have to look for book ideas that are fresh enough to pique an editor’s interest but not so faddish that they may have gone out of fashion if publication delays occur."

She adds that being a magazine editor helped her learn that you can't take rejection personally and you have to be persistent as a writer. She rejected many wonderful writers who just didn't have the right story idea at the right time, but some of them would keep trying until they finally had an idea that worked for the magazine. It is no different with book publishing.

How did being a book critic impact her novels?

"(Being a book critic) helped immensely. To be a good critic, you have to explain why a book works or doesn’t," she says. "And I wanted to be a good critic."

In addition to her stint as a book editor and critic in Cleveland, Harayda was the vice-president of the National Book Critics Circle from 1998-1999 and is currently the editor-in-chief of "One-Minute Book Reviews." She takes books apart, looking at how they work or don't work, studying the subtle techniques of point of view, plot and scene structure so she can support and explain her opinions to her readers.

"That has probably helped more than anything in my career," she says, adding, "except having great teachers and mentors very early on."

In journalism school she learned how to temper her inner critic. One of her professors stressed the importance of finishing projects, which included writing a first draft without looking at her notes. "I had the habit of working quickly and efficiently, then going back and revising," bringing in her inner critic at a later stage than most writers.

"You want to keep that critic on. You just want to shut it off for the first draft or two (or) you might never finish a piece of writing at all."

Her work as a book editor might have opened some doors when she began shopping her novel to agents and publishers, but she thinks that's unlikely.

"The editor at St. Martin’s who bought my first novel, The Accidental Bride, had edited the work of an Ohio author whom I had profiled for The Plain Dealer. So he knew my work and may have been more willing to look at my novel for that reason," she says. "But any agent will tell you: an editor has to love a book to buy it. You can do wonderful work in other media…but if a book doesn’t work on its own terms, an editor won’t buy it."



To learn more about Janice Harayda, visit her website.

Website Wants You…to Write How-To

Can you make money writing how-to articles?

There's always a market for quality instructional articles. From auto magazines to women's magazines, editors always look for interesting and well-written how-tos. Recently, Hope Clark from FundsforWriters.com sent around a flyer about a website dedicated to how-to articles.

eHow.com is actively seeking writers to join their online community and provide content for "the world's most popular place to find clear instructions on how to just about anything." Content categories include Arts and Entertainment, Cars, Home and Garden, Weddings and others. Some of the most frequently searched topics include how to swim, how to write a letter of resignation, how to lose weight, how to build a deck and many others.

eHow-to has a "publishing wizard" (see photo left - click to enlarge) where you can compose your article, add images and video if you like. There's a tips and guidelines page that offers advice on the different elements and techniques for producing an article that will draw in readers.



How do you earn money from eHow?

The website pays for the content, but you have to sign up for the "Writer's Compensation Program," which is NOT open to anyone living outside the U.S. nor anyone who is not a U.S. citizen. Writers also must be over 18 and have a PayPal account.

I could not find any specifics on the pay or "compensation" other than the amount is based on how "useful" the article is, how many times it is viewed, what category it is in and other unnamed elements. (see a sample at right - click to enlarge) The website also stipulates that if you sign up for the compensation program and you make less than $10 a year, you will be charged a $1 processing fee. The site mentions this fee and the $10 or less earnings in a year policy several times in the FAQ section. If it is possible to make less than $10 in a calendar year, I have to wonder how little the "compensation" per article is.


What rights are you selling to eHow?

There is a long paragraph on the "Terms of Use" page dealing with what rights a writer grants eHow. You retain your copyright, but eHow has the worldwide nonexclusive rights to publish, display, duplicate, modify, create derivative works "in any form, media or technology now known and later developed" and to negotiate the reprinting of your article in the print media without further compensation. Nonexclusive means that you can sell the article elsewhere provided you can find a market that will also accept nonexclusive rights.

For an explanation on all the different kinds of rights you have available for sale, check out Writing-World.com's article "Rights: What They Mean and Why They're Important" by Marg Gilks.

In my opinion, I think eHow has something to offer the freelance writer. It claims to have more than six millions readers each month. If that's accurate, you will be hard pressed to find better exposure. However, I don't believe you'll make pots of money. The compensation formula seems very subjective from what I could learn. Still every experience in life offers some benefit and only you can decide if eHow is an experience worthy of your time and talent.

Hanging by a Thread…A New Feel-Good Anthology (and others)

What's a "Feel-Good Anthology"?

A "Feel-Good Anthology" is my own term for books that seek true inspirational or uplifting stories. Chicken Soup is the granddaddy of them all, but there are others. All include a variety of short true-life stories that have a definite upbeat message, categorized into one of about a dozen subtopics, including kids, pets, work, and family. The individual books usually have an overall theme, such as Chocolate for a Teen's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul.

A new Feel-Good Anthology came to my attention late last week: Thin Thread - The Moment that Made the Difference. The book's publisher, Kiwi Publishing, has already held a contest to select essays for the first volume but at least six more are planned. According to its website, a "Thin Thread" is a spontaneous and impulsive decision that changed the course of your life.

What do the editors want to see?

Besides "true and uplifting stories"? Most want narrative nonfiction pieces that read like fiction. Some will accept poetry. Check the guidelines. The stories must be previously unpublished and must be your own story. However, Thin Thread says in the FAQ section that they will consider a story about someone else if that person is alive and you have a signed release giving you permission to write/submit the story.


Word count usually runs to 1200 words max, but Cup of Comfort will accept up stories up to 2000 words. Payment is generally around $100 upon publication, although God Allows U-Turns pays only $30. Most will allow e-submission either through their site or via email. Again, check the guidelines.

How many anthologies are out there?

There's no way to tell accurately. They come and go. For example, From the Heart: Stories of Love and Friendship published only two volumes before folding. Listed below are some anthology series that have announced new editions and submission deadlines on their websites. Click on the series name to go their guidelines page.

Chicken Soup: About Resolutions - deadline 8/31/08, About Stay at Home Moms/Power Moms - 9/1/08, The Golf Book - 9/30/08, About Twins and Multiples - 10/15/08, About College - deadline 12/31/08, About Extraordinary Teens - deadline 12/31/08, submit online.
Cup of Comfort: For Fathers - deadline 8/31/08, For Parents of Children with Special Needs - deadline 9/30/08, For Dog Lovers II - deadline 12/15/08, submit via email - cupofcomfort(at)adamsmedia(dot)com.
God Allows U-Turns - Boomer Babes Rock!, Parents Setting Boundaries, Writing from the Heart and Soul, One Deadline - 12/01/08, submit via email - stories(at)godallowsuturns(dot)com.
Thin Thread: Of Enlightenment, Of Family, Of Forgiveness, Of Friendship, Of Integrity, Of Leadership & Innovation, Of Motherhood/Fatherhood, Of Romance, Of Peace & Justice, Of Success & Achievement, Of Survival/Courage or Patriotism, One Deadline - 10/30/08, submit online.

Opportunities Abound…3 Questions Needs Your Input

The Skeptical Frog

What sort of input are we looking for?

OK, so "abound" might be an exaggeration, but there are opportunities for our readers to have a say. First, we have another Virtual Book Tour coming in 10 days and we need questions and comments for the author. Details are below.

Next, 3 Questions…and Answers wants to open its pages to 15 guest writers. From Sunday, September 7 to Thursday, September 11, 3 Questions will publish the top 15 submissions, three guest writers per day. See the full guidelines below.

What do you think about a virtual book tour about a book on virtual book tours?

Author Bill Frederick recently published the e-book: My Virtual Book Tour Secrets! - A Self-Publisher's Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Your Own Successful Virtual Book Tour in as Little as 30 Days. On August 5, his virtual book tour will stop here at 3 Questions…and Answers.

Frederick has been a writer and publisher for over 10 years and now he has put together a step-by-step guide to promoting your book online. The e-book sells for just under $30 and features: Tips and Insights from Best-Selling Authors, My Complete Virtual Book Tour Checklist, a list of 40 Blogs that Host Virtual Book Tours and a 30-plus Press Release Resource. Frederick is so confident that he offers the book with a six-month satisfaction guarantee. Why is he so confident that his system works? Let's ask him!

To participate in the Virtual Book Tour, please post a comment below with your questions by 12:00 noon EDT on Friday, August 1. Frederick will answer them on August 5. If you'd like to read more about Frederick's book of secrets, go to his website.

How did the 9/11 attacks affect you?

The seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States is less than eight weeks away. The entire world felt, and in some cases still feels, the impact of those events. 3 Questions…and Answers would like to hear from fellow writers about how the events of that day affect your work as a writer. The top 15 submissions will be published on 3 Questions…and Answers from Sunday September 7 to Thursday September 11 (three guest writers per day).

Guidelines are:

1 - Word count 250 words or less, nonfiction prose or poetry ONLY. All submissions must be written in ENGLISH.
2 - Submit to AmyM3QA(at)gmail(dot)com ONLY. Submissions posted to the 3 Questions' comment section will be deleted.
3 - Write "3 Questions" in the subject line or the email will be deleted.
4 - You may embed your text in the email or attach a MS Word file, a RTF or a Plain Text file.
5 - Include a headshot photo in a JPG or JPEG file.
6 - Also include your first and last name, your location/hometown (city/state), web address if you have one. This will be published with your piece. If you would not like your full name/location published, please indicate an alternative (such as your initials and the state only), but 3 Questions needs the full info for its records. *
7 - NO gratuitous foul language, NO fictionalized accounts, NO other graphics, photos, etc. except for your headshot.
8 - DEADLINE: all submissions must be received by 6:00 p.m. on Monday August 25.
9 - There is no payment but your website will be posted within the article and in a permanent list on the front page of the zine.

* 3 Questions will not distribute any contact information, including email addresses, to any other party. Nor will we spam you. If you'd like to join our e-mailing list, please use the box on the right.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Publishing Short Fiction…12 Markets to Get You Started

Can you sell short fiction today?

Many novelists begin their careers writing short fiction. Today, there are few mainstream markets for short fiction, but if you search you can find them, and if you look really hard, you can find some that pay decently and offer you a good deal of exposure.

What kinds of magazines are out there?

The best place to publish short fiction is in magazines like The New Yorker or The Saturday Evening Post. However, The New Yorker only takes agented fiction, while The Saturday Evening Post says, "we seldom publish new fiction."

If you want decent pay and exposure, try a literary magazine. Usually affiliated with a college or university, the competition for publication in literary review is tight and fierce. Literary magazines don't usually consider genre fiction but will sometimes consider experimental short stories. Having the right literary magazine on your resume can boost your reputation significantly in the eyes of agents and publishers.

Science fiction/fantasy and mystery magazines are some of the more popular genre magazines. Ellery Queen, Alfred Hitchcock and Asimov's Science Fiction have long histories in publishing short fiction. Like publishing in the right literary review, publishing in these magazines tells the genre industry that you've got what it takes.

The number of fiction/literary magazines on the Internet has grown over the last several years. Some are building reputations for excellence too. However, pay is often nominal or nothing at all. And most print publications recognize e-publications and will not accept work that has been published online. So if you decide to publish online, make sure it is the best spot for your story because you may not be able to sell it elsewhere.

Do you know what comes next?

That's right - I have a list of a dozen short fiction markets for you. First, I found a new resource for market searches: Duotrope's Digest. Duotrope's Digest is a database of over 2200 fiction and poetry markets. It is free to search and it has a submission tracker and other free services for those who sign up. The staff updates the database throughout the day so it is probably one of the most current databases available.

The markets below seek short fiction among other things. Click the titles to go to the guidelines, unless noted.

108 - seeks original fiction that is directly related to baseball, its history, culture, society connections.
The Afternoon Reading Broadcast - This is a BBC radio program, featured five days a week, stories should be strong on narrative, one story per writer.
The American Scholar - NO unsolicited fiction manuscripts, query with publishing history.
The Bear Deluxe - website takes you to the parent company site, click magazine title, then submissions for full guidelines.
BRAND - British magazine, NO excerpts, next deadline: end of September.
Georgia Review - considers new, unpublished writers, NO novel excerpts or translations, submit between August 15-May 15 ONLY.

Great Western Fiction - seeks unpublished stories set in the American West before 1914, NO submissions until October.
Lyrical Ballads - a monthly e-zine, seeks "emotional" fiction, "make the reader feel something - anything at all."
The Saturday Evening Post - seeks humorous fiction.
Tesseracts Thirteen - an anthology of dark fantasy and horror, "open to Canadians, landed immigrants, long-time residents, and expatriates."
Zoetrope: All-Story - submit one story at a time/two stories a year, NO submissions between September 1-December 31, has a short fiction contest.
ZYZZVA - US West Coast writers ONLY, NO e-submissions, especially seeking translations from Latin American and Asian writers.

Interview…with moonshine editor, Robin Fay

How did moonshine evolve?

"It started out as Southerncreativitiy Journal, but that was a little bit boring," says Robin Fay, editor of moonshine, an online journal of art, literature and creativity. Southerncreativity.com is the parent site, which began with five friends batting around the idea of creating a collaborative space where artists could meet.

"A virtual studio where we could meet and get feedback, talk about art and somehow keep our creativity stoked," she explains, but the concept didn't really work out like they planned and they had the domain name paid up for two more years. Fay suggested they find another use for the space, a magazine. The group selected moonshine because it represented so much to them - glimmer of hope, the waxing and waning of creativity, the forbidden.

"At some point, most every artist has turned to their art at night only after toiling away the daylight working a day job."

So the year-old moonshine's vision is to support those creative artists, particularly southern artists, be they visual artist or writers or a combination of both, giving light to their artistic vision and creativity. The latest issue boasts contributors from across the south and from many walks of life, such as students, professors, journalists, librarians and photographers, among others.

What kind of submissions does Fay want for moonshine?

"Storytelling that creates a visual image and interesting art," she states. "The biggest reasons I reject a writer are that (1) I don't sense how it will fit in with the other pieces, (2) there is no connection to art or the South, or (3) the writer/artist isn't really looking for a collaborative effort."

Currently, Fay receives about 40 submissions for each bimonthly issue. She rejects about half of them. From writers, she looks for short stories, poetry, essays about art, nonfiction, and reviews (book, movie and art). She also seeks podcasts and videocasts and one of her favorite features is "writings from the studio" by artists, discussing the art process. She tries to balance each issue between creative writing, writings from the studio, essays and articles. Prior to each issue, she'll send out to regular contributors quotations, word associations and other prompts.

"I'm not necessarily looking for professional writers," Fay adds. The magazine does not pay at this time. However, moonshine's readership grows every month with the June issue bringing in approximately 3200 readers.

How much work goes into producing an online arts journal?

"Surprisingly enough, it is not a full time job." Fay is an artist, writer and web designer when she's not editing moonshine. She says the schedule is set, there's a stable of regular contributors and she is part of the development project, PacerCMS, that developed the software that drives the magazine so she's firmly in control.

"The magazine combines all of my interests," she says. "It is putting together bits and pieces to create a whole, it is both writing and visual arts, and it lets me continue to do some web design."

At just over one year old, moonshine is in its infancy. Still it is an innovative and stylish journal with a steady growth pattern. In short, it's a lot to be proud of, and Fay is, but she's not satisfied. She already has a plan for the magazine's second year, such as broadening the coverage of the performing arts and increasing multimedia content.

"My goals for next year are to continue to strengthen the core contributors and to move moonshine toward financial independence, either through a grant or individual donations," Fay says, adding, "(and) to continue to grow and to succeed and to be a project that we all can be proud of."




You can explore moonshine here and you can learn more about editor Robin Fay on her website.

Waving the Flag…Americana Markets

Independence Day in America is July 4. So let's take a look at the Americana magazine market.

What is Americana?

Think "baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet" to quote the car company's 1970s ad campaign, that's Americana. But if you need a more precise meaning, the Merriam-Webster dictionary online says Americana means "1: materials concerning or characteristic of America, its civilization, or its culture; broadly: things typical of America or 2: American culture."

In terms of magazine writing, Americana is also about things typical to small town or community life. In general, Americana story ideas will appeal to middle-class, middle America readers. They cover everyday people doing interesting things and old-fashioned events or places still finding a purpose today. Stories that you would expect to find on the community pages of your local newspaper likely will fall under the Americana banner.

What are examples of Americana articles?

The May/June issue of Grit, which is the epitome of an Americana magazine, visits the Schuylkill County Fair in Summit Station, PA for its article "Fair Full of Treasures." The article begins with this on county fair then expands to talk about the appeal and delights of county fairs in general. Who didn't look forward to the county fair as a kid?

American Profile's latest issue nestles recipes along side profiles of a 100-year-old newspaperwoman, the world's most famous fisherman, baby-boomers volunteering for the Peace Corps and a story on the lasting popularity of the soda fountain shop. Again, here are homey stories and subjects to which readers across the country can relate.

In addition to national magazines, a lot of regional publications seek Americana-type articles, as do some women's magazines and history magazines. Check out the magazines and their websites to see if they've published Americana themed articles before and don't forget to look at the advertising too. Ads reveal the magazine's target demographic.

Am I going to list some magazines seeking Americana?

Of course, I am! Was there any doubt?

The first batch are truly Americana magazines, while the second set are regionals that have a feel for Americana. As always, click the titles go to the magazine's website and/or submissions guidelines page. Most want queries first by snail mail and all want sample clippings included with the query. Check the guidelines for the specifics.

American Profile - "audience is hometown America," NO fiction, poetry, nostalgia, seeks articles about people and places that are "enlightening" and "have broad national relevance."
American Heritage - focus slants toward history and military, but publishes some other stories, guidelines are a PDF download on the contacts page.
Grit - writers who find success here know small town life and rural life, e-queries preferred - put "query" in the subject line.
The Old Farmer's Almanac - seeks a large variety of material but only publishes once a year, humor is highly sought, readership are split almost evenly between suburbanites and farmers and ranchers, guidelines are very detailed with likes and dislikes.

Regional magazines:

Blue Ridge Country - subject area includes all mountain areas from Maryland to northern Alabama and the traditions, people, places and other topics within, query only.
Capper's - "emphasizes home and family," target market are rural Midwesterners, publishes serialized novels, query for novels; all others - send complete manuscript, NO e-submissions/queries.
Central PA Magazine - "Voices" and "A la Carte" offer the best break-in opportunities for freelancers, topics must be anchored in Central Pennsylvania.
Down East Magazine - a magazine about Maine, best break-in spot is the "My Maine" column: short narratives about a personal experience or a unique aspect of life in Maine, 750 words max.
Missouri Life - would like to see "just about anything that makes our readers say, 'I didn't know that'", must be about Missouri, of course.
Over the Back Fence - readers live in southern Ohio, seeks articles and profiles on people, history and organizations in "our own backyard."

An Apple A Day…Health-Related Markets

How big a market is out there for health?

Articles about health issues have the reputation of being "evergreen" in mass-market magazines like Redbook, Woman's Day, AARP and GQ. No matter what time of the year it is, editors will need a health-related article. There are also magazines dedicated to health and fitness: Prevention, Men's Health, Shape, etc. In addition, sports magazines often cover topics like injury prevention, injury treatment and recovery, and nutrition. So the market is vast with lots of opportunities for freelancers.

Aren't health related articles scientific?

Some of them are, but the areas most open to freelancers are personal experience pieces and tip articles. That's not to say you don't need science at all. Having an expert to validate the tips you list for weight loss, or to give you the correct medical terminology and explanations for your father's cancer treatment in your personal narrative, lends credibility to your work, especially in the eyes of an editor who doesn't know you.

Also if you have sources with the right credentials, you can write the scientific articles without being scientific yourself. The old adage to "write what you know" can be adapted to "write what you can find out and learn." Don't shy away from health articles because you struggled through high school biology. Just find a new "teacher."

Is it all about health and fitness?

While general interest and mass-market magazines aim at preventative and wellness type health articles, there are magazines that offer support and comfort to people who are dealing with illnesses or conditions. (I know pregnancy is not an illness.) Below are some of those types of magazines. Click the titles to go to their web pages. Several of them also accept material for their websites. The most common topics are coping strategies, lifestyle management/quality of life issues, debunking myths, information/advice for the newly diagnosed, advice and support for caregivers/family members, etc. The tone is generally upbeat and often has a "this is how I did it" slant.

Arthritis Today - a bimonthly magazine that covers lifestyle/quality of life topics as well as treatment and medical advice for people living with arthritis.
bp Magazine - a quarterly journal for people with bipolar disease, their families, friends and caregivers, publishes three to five features each issue of 1500-2500 words.
conceive Magazine - magazine for women who are "contemplating or actively trying to start or expand a family," you can submit personal stories to the website and you may make it into the magazine, freelance writers should submit samples, a résumé and "a few story ideas" for consideration.
MAMM - magazine "devoted to meeting the needs of women diagnosed with breast and reproductive cancer," is also aimed at the families and friends of cancer patients/survivors.
Plum Magazine - magazine for "the 35+ childbearing woman," is more general interest/lifestyle than the others, but seeks informative articles on a wide range of topics dealing with pregnancy, birthing and mothering over the age of 35.
POZ Magazine - published 10 times a year, the magazine covers the HIV epidemic here and abroad, POZ.com has articles with advice, support and information for those with HIV.

Below are some magazines seeking articles with general health and wellness slants:

ascent magazine - seeks articles on "engaged spirituality" and yoga, has an editorial schedule so query for themes before submitting.
Better Health - published by the Saint Raphael Healthcare System, it is "Connecticut's leading health and wellness magazine."
Health Magazine - women's health and lifestyle magazine, also publishes on its website.
Vibrant Lifestyle - a bimonthly magazine that "promotes physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual balance from a practical, Christian perspective."

When You Care Enough to Write the Very Best…Greeting Card Markets

Is there anyone on this planet who doesn't like getting a card in the mail? Whether it's a birthday, another occasion or just a silly "thinking of you" note, there is something special about getting the perfect card at exactly the right time in your mailbox. It beats a phone call or an email and certainly an e-card even with society's growing love affair with everything electronic. A card in the mail shows the person who sent it cares. She (most card buyers are women) took time out of her hectic schedule to not only pick out a card, but address it, put a stamp on it (not as cheap as it once was) and mail it. That's a lot of time and effort for a three-minute pay off that she won't even be there to see.

How hard is it to write text for a greeting card?

A lot harder than it looks. Each company has its own style, even its own themes. So the first thing you should do is research. Once you select a company, check out their website for their submission guidelines. Some companies will not look at text without art, while others don't want art at all. You can sometimes find an editorial calendar online that will give you an idea of what the current needs are. Holiday deadlines are typical nine months to a year ahead.

Next check out the online catalog or online shop to get an idea of what they print. If the site has a store locator, find one in your area so you can see what size the cards are, the type of paper, etc. You might also be able to tell what type of card sells and what doesn't by comparing how many are still in the racks.

When you're ready to write, make every word count. Card publishers often have word or line limits and they're very short so choose carefully. Use active verbs, descriptive nouns. If you use an adjective, make it a strong one, but keep it simple. You want your text to place an image or scene in the mind of the editor without the artwork.

Are there freelance jobs in the greeting card industry?

Well, I am writing this article, aren't I? Of course there are, but like in any freelance market, don't plan on signing on with the big companies - Hallmark, American Greetings - right off the bat. They hire both staff and contract workers to create their cards and for their own protection, they return any unsolicited creative material unopened. That is not to say you will never have an opportunity to show your work to them.

Build a portfolio of sales to smaller companies then network. Like in any other medium, editors and creative directors often move around. Learn to network with your editors and fellow card writers. And while the big companies won't accept creative materials, a well-written letter of introduction outlining your interest in the company and your experience may result in the editor requesting samples.

What kind of money can you make writing greeting cards?

Greeting card ideas will not make you rich. The smaller companies' pay ranges from $10 an idea to $50. The big companies pay $100-$200. Most want five to ten ideas at a time either on individual 3"x5" cards or one idea to one sheet of standard paper. A few want mock-ups of the card. One industry statistic says companies buy less than 5% of all ideas submitted.

Below is a list of card publishers that will accept card ideas from freelancers. I've noted the ones that ask you to email for guidelines. Click the names to go to the websites. You can find more at the Greeting Card Association. Their membership directory is free to search. WriterMarket.com also has a greeting card and gifts search category. It is a subscription service.


Amy Adele, LLC - cards, stationery, invitations, labels, stickers primarily for children but some adult products, email stephanie(at)amyadele(dot)com for guidelines.
Artists to Watch - cards for all occasions, email funfolks(at)artiststowatch(dot)com for guidelines.
Blue Mountain Arts - cards for all occasions plus assorted gift items plus a poetry contest.
Cardthartic, LLC - email Founder and Creative Director, Jodee Stevens for guidelines - jodee(at)cardthartic(dot)com
Designer Greetings - all-occasion cards, seasonal cards, invitations, cards in Spanish.
Ephemera, Inc - "visual wisecracks is what Ephemera is all about," novelty buttons, magnets and stickers.
Innovative Art - posters, prints, cards and calendars, requires submitting writers to include a form.
Kalan, LP - "an alternative greeting card and novelty gift company…the key to our product is humor.
Moonlighting Cards - variety of occasion and everyday cards.
Novo Card Publishers - everyday, seasonal, "alternative" card lines, especially likes humor.
Oatmeal Studios - humorous cards for all occasions plus 3"x4" sticky note pads.
Papyrus - greeting cards, gifts, novelties, specifically seeking humor.
P.S. Greetings, Inc - everyday and holiday cards, boxed note cards and stationery.
Recycled Paper Greeting Cards - will not accept text submissions without artwork, 100% freelance.

First Impression…The Article Memo

I have never sold an article with a query letter. When I sold pieces, it was to someone I knew, someone I had been recommended to or someone who came to me with the article assignment. As you might guess, I didn't sell much. I had been freelancing for about three years when a writer friend told me about the "Article Memo," sometimes called an article proposal or a pitch letter.

What's the difference between a query letter and an article memo?

In terms of content, there is very little difference between the two. Both outline your idea and your qualifications to write the article. The difference comes in the presentation. The first thing you'll notice is the amount of white space on the page. (see the memo template on the left - click the image to enlarge.)


White space fools the reader's eyes into thinking there are fewer words and so the page is easier to read. So set your margins to 1.25" or 1.5" on the sides and 2" on the bottom. I put my memos on letterhead so my name and contact info is neatly displayed at the top.

The article memo has a title - the tentative title of your article - and your byline centered about eight lines below the last line of your letterhead. Then start your first paragraph eight lines below your byline.

There are only four short paragraphs. Single space the paragraphs but double space between them, no indentations. Between the second and third paragraphs, double space, insert a short line of dashes or asterisks, then double space again. This gives the eyes a rest and transitions between the main purposes of the memo.

What goes into those four paragraphs?

Paragraph one is the proposed lead paragraph of your article. Spend a lot of time writing and rewriting this paragraph, developing your hook and the tone you intend to take with the article. You should also give a clear indication of what type of article this is - a profile, investigative, etc.