April 26, 2005
A JustMarkets Publication

Welcome, writers!

I hate eating fish. The bones, the eyes. Cans of tuna were okay until dolphin-awareness ruined it for me. And fishing scares me—the hooks, the worms. Anyway, I feel really sorry for the fish.

So you'd probably feel safe to bet I'd never be caught dead reading a fishing book – well, you're almost right – but then again, there's Frank P. Baron's "What Fish Don't Want You to Know: An Insider's Guide to Freshwater Fishing". It's the one book on fishing I will read in my lifetime.

To read Frank Baron is to laugh – or cry. He can do it all, on any subject, in a laid-back kind of way that pulls you in, and gets you comfy. The rascal makes it look so easy too! Read an except of his book at amazon. Visit his site www.frankbaron.com. Join his list at BaronItAll [ at ] rogers.com – he'll send you one of his "splice of life" pieces every now and again, and I guarantee it'll be the ONE email (besides mine, of course *grin*) that you'll read, save and reread.

Today we've got an article from Deborah Clark who's been in the freelancing business for over a decade. She describes her simple organizational techniques which, if practiced consistently, will give you idea after idea for new articles and slants for rewrites. She also looks at how important a local spin can be to landing jobs and gives an example of how to find it.

I'm happy to say that the number of telecommute-only, paying jobs for writers in JustDaily Markets has increased to an average of over 20 a day—that's Saturdays too! I've expanded my search base to 250+ sites daily, and editors are seeing the value of placing their exclusives with JustMarkets Daily: they get targeted replies from professionals – like you.

Good writing everyone!

Stephanie Olsen
Publisher/Just Markets
http://www.justmarkets.com

P.S. TELL A FRIEND! What a nice gift a year's subscription to
Just Markets makes! Your writer friend could benefit from the fastest markets online, saving countless hours of searching and scrounging all over the internet for paying freelance markets for writers.

GUEST ARTICLE

Generating Sales From Outlines

By Deborah Clark

Outlines are organizational tools that help a writer define the focus for a particular body of work.  They also can be excellent marketing support devices.  From research to article, an outline presents a plan to develop the topic and address additional markets.

A research outline serves to define the focus of the search.  A writer needs to research most topics, whether they are fiction or non-fiction pieces.  As any researcher can attest, research for a specific topic will create a pile of information, much of which is destined for the compost pile.

The writer then sifts through the heap and extracts the useful bits necessary for the article.  A creative writer will see, in this mountain of data, the germ of an idea for other articles or markets.  The prudent writer logs these ideas into a system.  Any system, used consistently, will work.

The 3-item system

A "highlighter, folder, and notebook" system works particularly well.  To manage my system, I have a series of colored markers, a drawer full of folders, and a notebook full of loose-leaf paper.  I keep all original information in one file folder.  I label the folder, and use colored markers to follow the information I use.  The notebook I use to keep track of the sources from these folders.  I use this system consistently.

First item: file folder

For example, I found a clipping about a local group who was having a Peaceful Play Festival.  I cut it out and placed it in a file folder and labeled it "PLAY".  A second article appeared, elaborating on the Festival and giving me another tidbit of information; they were having an exchange of violent toys for peaceful alternatives. I placed it with the first, in the "PLAY" folder.  

I decided this might make a good piece for the Chicago Tribune.  I needed a Chicago tie-in so I called the group's coordinator and asked questions.  She told me there were a number of groups promoting peaceful play, including a group in Chicago.  I had my tie-in.  I went back to my file and placed the interview notes in it.  All of the research for the original topic I keep in one file folder.

Second item: highlighter

I queried the editor.  He accepted my proposal.  Now the search was on in earnest.  I took out my blue highlighter and noted all the relevant information.  My blue marker indicates the first market or idea that the research develops.  I e-mailed the Chicago group.  I downloaded and highlighted the information from their web-site.  A representative returned my e-mail with information about their "Peace for Children" initiatives. I highlighted this information in blue.

I found a possible lead for another story about Christian groups and peaceful protest.  I noted this with pink highlighter, my color of choice for secondary ideas or markets.  

Third item: notebook

Each time information is noted, I assign it a number.  I jot down this number, along with a brief description, into my notebook.  I place each new idea entry on top, so I am always working with the most recent, and they are the most easily accessible.

So far, I have sold the article to the Chicago Tribune and used the information to generate a second article, with a child care focus, to a national publication for child care professionals.  I queried a national parenting magazine and plan to write smaller pieces to regional parenting magazines.  In all, I have isolated more than a dozen markets and three separate topics from one small clipping in the local newspaper.

Consistency is Key

It doesn't matter what system a writer uses, as long as he or she uses it consistently.  It will develop an awareness of market potential and idea creation.  After a while, the writer will see potential multiple markets for each idea.

The article outline refines the information gathered during the research project.  Once the article is written, return to the outline.  Review the information in the outline; especially useful are fact and regional or historic references.  Isolate the key ideas and markets.  Outline the new idea to estimate its length and focus.  Review the information at hand.  Choose a market.  Then query.

Outlines can generate additional sales by providing starting points for slanting information to additional markets.  The writer is limited only by time and market availability for the myriad of subtopics that outlines spotlight.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Self-described as being "highly organized and detail oriented", Deborah Clark is a successful Canadian business-woman currently residing in Europe and teaching English as a Foreign Language on top of writing professionally. Visit her at http://www.mywritemind.com.

Markets

Leanin Tree

Fine Art Greeting Cards Since 1949

Needs verses for greeting cards and gift items such as magnets, stationery, mugs, magnetic list pads, posters, puzzles and boxed notes. Always seeking humorous verse in the following captions: Birthday, Friendship, Get Well, Anniversary, New Baby and Hang in There. The humor should be clever, straightforward, laugh-out-loud type of copy that can be risqué but not obscene.

Pays $100 per verse.

SASE submit snail mail; 6 mo response time.

Guidelines:
http://www.leanintree.com/about/VerseWriterGuidelines.asp

www.leanintree.com

Legal Assistant Today

Bi-monthly print publication geared toward the needs of the paralegal profession, offering information pertaining to paralegals on legal practices and developments, practical advice and "how-to" articles.

Features: Query first. Response time 30 days. 3,000-5,000 words, including sidebars. Payment decided on a case-by-case basis.
My Opinion: A first-person essay 1,200-1,500 words. Pays $100.
News & Trends: 600 words. Photos appreciated. Payment amt not stated.
(Pays $25 for news tips or leads used to write a story in-house.)

Rights: FNAR, non-exclusive web rights, marketing purposes and reprint permission. Query editor Rod Hughes at rhughes [ at ] jamespublishing.com
Guidelines: http://www.legalassistanttoday.com/editorial_guide.htm

Connecticut Family Today

 

The editor for Connecticut Family Today put out a call for freelance writers on April 2nd. JustMarketsDaily subscribers got that call in their morning's email.

Did you?

Here it is: "Connecticut Family Today is looking for talented freelance writers to contribute to our 6x per year publication. See the latest issue at www.CtFamilyToday.com."

"Please send clips with resume. Pay varies by assignment."

PO Box 2227
Darien, CT 06820
Phone: 203-662-0511
Fax: 203-662-0545
Email: Editor [ at ] CtFamilyToday.com

 

Note from: Writer David Wilkening April 22, 2005 Stephanie--great job you are doing. I have been a freelancer for a long time, and am sort of thick-skinned about most writing sites (which often seem to exist solely to sell writing seminars and services to gullible 'wanna-bees' who think they can get rich, ala S. King), so I am skeptical. If you want to describe me as a satisfied customer, yes, for sure, it's a good gig. Take it from the pros! JustMarketsDaily *delivers six days a week *telecommute, paying markets We search so you don't have to

Glide Magazine

What about this April 6 call from the editor for freelance writers?

Online pub covering today's most innovative artists. From music and film to outdoor adventures, Glide explores diverse artistic expression in a fresh and progressive light.

We are currently seeking freelance writers and original. Glide covers a broad range of eclectic music genres, independent films, outdoor sports, related gear, trends, "top ten" lists,

lifestyles and travel destinations.

Want to pitch your own ideas? We provide the media support and necessary contacts enabling you to provide our 100,000+ circulation with an insiders look. Looking for assigned projects? We have dozens in queue.

Candidates should have prior professional writing experience (music/entertainment/outdoors writing preferred); freelance experience a plus. Familiarity with current trends and developments in culture/arts is also a plus.

Pays flat fee per entry/project

Reply to: info@glidemagazine.com

 

Monthly Pet Magazine

Another editor on April 6 sent out this request--

NYC/Tri-State Freelance Writers
Telecommute

Monthly Pet Magazine seeks freelance writers. Knowledge and experience with dogs is a +. We are looking to fill twenty-four pages of articles each month that center around dog issues including health, nutrition and recreation.

E-mail us ideas in 4-5 short descriptive paragraphs. Please do not send attachments or completed stories. Pay is negotiable. Must be able to work independently and with deadlines and the magazine's editor. Send your story pitches only to everywherepromo [ at ] hotmail.com. No calls please.

Don't miss out!

JustMarketsDaily
*delivers six days a week
*telecommute, paying markets

We search so you don't have to

 

High Country News

High Country News is a non-profit, every-other-week newspaper covering the Rocky Mountain West, the desert Southwest and the Pacific Northwest.

New writers should begin by sending a query for a Book Review (200-word book review), Hotline (250-word news brief ) or Roundup (topical 800-word stories). E-mail queries are preferred.

Pays 25 cents/word on acceptance for right to publish in High Country News; archive it and authorize reprinting for classroom use or for publication in small non-profit newsletters.

Guidelines: http://www.hcn.org/about/guidelines.jsp