Sub Ops

Sub ops caution: to avoid scams, always thoroughly check out writer job listings as well as any contracts you are offered. A real writing job is one where the writer is paid to work, and does not have to first pay any fees, material charges or any other expenses to the employer.

Outsourced copyrwriters and editors wanted: BookSurge/CreateSpace is currently looking for "experienced copywriters to join their outsourced team. Potential applicants must be creative self-starters comfortable working independently, while adhering to strict deadlines. The most qualified candidates will have book publishing experience and a background writing for an array of genres. All applicants must be proficient in Microsoft Word and comfortable with using the Internet" as well as "experienced editors to join their outsourced team. Potential applicants must be detail-oriented self-starters comfortable working independently, while adhering to strict deadlines. The most qualified candidates will have book editing experience with an emphasis in some of the following genres. Fiction: general, science fiction, historical, fantasy, chick lit., or children’s literature. Nonfiction: business, self-help, social science, spirituality, or religious texts. All applicants must be comfortable with Chicago Manual of Style 15th ed., proficient in Microsoft Word’s track changes feature, and comfortable with using the Internet." Payment based on assignment; see job listing for more details.

Ghostwriters for succesful humorous greeting card line needed: humorous greeting card maker Calypso Cards is "currently looking for writers for our Selfish Kitty line. This line has a loyal following and is contemporary, clever and edgy, although never mean, cruel or degrading – please keep the card sender and recipient in mind when writing. Selfish Kitty buyers tend to be college-educated, college-town or urban dwellers, women and men aged between 20 and 50. Please see our website to get an idea of what sells: http://www.calypsocards.com/selfish-kitty-main.htm. Calypso cards pays a flat fee of $50.00 for full copyright on complete, well-written card copy (both inside and outside text) with no editing necessary. After work is accepted for publication, a writer must sign a Calypso Cards Copyright Assignment Areement. We are looking for submissions for the following occasions: Birthday, Anniversary, Friendship/Love/Thinking of You, Get Well, Sorry, Baby, Thank You, Belated Birthday, New Home, Congratulations, Wedding, Retirement. We also publish some blank cards and other products such as refrigerator magnets and notebooks." Electronic submissions via e-mail only; see job listing for more details.

Creative writers needed for Local New York City website: "We are looking for compelling storytellers who can get people out of their seats and bring tears to their eyes. Who can sensitively experiment and challenge conventions to inspire our readers. Who can create attention grabbing content and knows how to handle wordpress. Who has in-depth knowledge and interest in any of the following topics: events, outdoor activities, real estate, fashion, sports, everyday life in NYC. Who live and love New York City. Responsibilities include: writing and publishing (including spell check and grammar) of two blog posts per week; pitching ideas and developing them into featured articles for publication on the blog and article networks; occasionally do live interviews and live-blogging at events as needed." This is a telecommuting job, compensation is part commission. See job listing for more details.

Quarterly print pub Dark Discoveries, edited by James R. Beach, is seeking horror fiction, nonfiction and art: "Must be in the Horror/Dark Fantasy and Dark Mystery veins (no straight Science Fiction, Mystery, Fan Fiction, or Sword & Sorcery). Looking for well-written, powerful, original ideas and new twists on old Horror conventions. Vampire and werewolf stories are a tough sell, but we are open to those with an original twist. Especially looking for stories that examine the darker side of the human condition, but we are also interested in supernatural tales. New writers are welcome to submit." Length on fiction 500 words - 5K (query if longer.) Payment: 5¢/word to a min. of $25.00 and a max of $250.00 Reprints okay, electronic submissions preferred. See guidelines page for more details.

Freelance Writers Wanted for Leading Social Media Site: Gather is "hiring freelance writers for its new Socialwrite program. Gather Socialwriters are paid to start discussions in the community on the day’s news stories and other popular topics. All Socialwriters are trained by Gather's channel managers on topic selection and how to write for the maximum pickup from the search engines, other media sites, blogs and social networks. Gather is currently hiring up to 20 new Socialwriters to cover: Celeb News, Entertainment News: Movie reviews, TV show roundups, General News/Politics, Sports, Seasonal/Holiday. Payment: Socialwriters can earn up to $500 a month and are paid: Per Article: $2.50-$10 for any articles posted on Gather that receive a minimum of 250 unique page views and Monthly Bonus: $25-$100 based on the popularity of their writing throughout the month." Apply online at website; see job listing for more details.

The International Aeon Award charges an entry fee of €7 for their contest, but since I don't often come across too many Irish SF/F/H sub ops I thought I'd include it. They're looking for "short fiction in any speculative genre, i.e. fantasy, SF, horror or anything in between or unclassifiable!" Grand prize is €1000 and publication in Albedo One, Ireland's magazine of SF/F/H as well as "an additional Bonus Prize for the winning story, which will also be given the option of one year's free publication courtesy of the respected Authorlink.com in their Storywire section." Second and third place are "200 and 100 euro and guaranteed publication in Albedo One." Electronic subs okay, see contest page for more details, deadline March 31, 2010.

Sci-fi, adventure, fantasy, humor writers and editors wanted for Moot Mag: "Moot Mag - Today's Amazing Stories is a fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, and humor magazine whose stories are illustrated with the finest digital art. Moot Mag could be compared to the old pulp mags and the Onion for it's attitude and satire, but Moot's focus is the paranormal, supernatural, and oddity. Moot Mag is also an extension of Moot Movie. Check out MootMagMovie.com to be sure this is for you. We are seeking writers and an editor for our first issue to be released at WonderCon in San Francisco this April. Please send resume and samples that reflect a unique edgy point of view. We have specific 500-1000 word articles and stories that need to be written." Contract job, telecommuting okay, see job listing for more details.

The Australian Horror Writers Association is holding The 'Nameless' Challenge contest which includes an entry fee of $10AU, but they donate it to charity so that's why they made my list. Rules: "Read the story (Part I here; Part II here), get to know the story elements, the characters, their journey and their motivations. Then, write a fitting ending for ‘The Nameless' and give the tale a title while you're at it." Grand prize is $500.00 cash (I assume AU dollars) plus lots of goodies; judge for this one is horror author Ramsey Campbell. Electronic submissions only; see contest page for lots more details, deadline March 13, 2010.

Suite101.com is looking "to recruit freelance writers from all different levels of their writing career to write authoritative and prolific online articles. Job responsibilities: A minimum of 10 x 400-600 word non-fiction articles every 3 months; Research to support fact based, unique articles; Self guided use of training materials; Commitment to following editorial guidelines. Applicants should have: Excellent writing and grammatical skills; High level of self-motivation and fastidious attention to detail; Ability to accept and respond to Editor feedback; Experience writing for the web considered an asset, though not required; Familiarity with social networks and online marketing is beneficial, though not required. Benefits: Freedom to write about what you want, when you want; Lifetime royalties with added bonuses and incentives; Exposure to over 24 million monthly readers; Free, comprehensive training on writing for the web; Access to a vibrant online writing community and forum." Apply online at website; see job listing for more details.

Turner Publishing is looking for an author "with a background in Queens history to complete captions and chapter introductions for a book entitled Historic Photos of Queens. The book will be hardcover and will be sold in local bookstores. This book is one of a series. Responsibilities: captions and introductions, collaboration in image selection, and participation in events such as signings at local bookstores. Qualifications: expertise in Queens history, previous published writing a plus. Compensation: Author fee based on experience." Send resume including a list of books or articles written and published (if any).

Some of these ops were found among the many marvelous market listings at Ralan's place.