By Lisbeth Coiman
Although writing involves a desk and countless hours sitting in front of computer, it has a significant overhead cost. Expenses add up pretty quickly and include items as varied as office supplies to car expenses. We learn to make informed decisions, and find the discounts to finance projects or conferences.
Early Bird Registration
Careful planning is the key to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration for conferences, especially those asking up to $300 (airfare, lodging, and food & beverages not included). Early registration can save you 15% off the total cost. The Early Bird discount is not restricted to large events and can be found in most small and local workshops and classes. Plan ahead to catch limited-time opportunities for conferences like Mendocino Coast Writers Conferences.
Remanufactured Ink Cartridges
Ever considered buying another cheap printer instead of paying for a new cartridge? The cost of ink is insane, up to $70 depending on the printer model, and that’s not adding paper. Remanufactured ink cartridges cost a fraction of regular brand-name ink, and do the job perfectly well. Have in mind that not all vendors provide the same quality product. Read the reviews carefully and purchase a one cartridge (1 black 1 color) to begin. If satisfied with the product, go for the discount five pack. It’s a steal.
Car insurance
Although still far from being a senior, I took the hint from the first young man who offered me senior discount at the movies. I got myself an AARP card, which paired perfectly with my gorgeous silver hair. Abracadabra. As a writer over 50, I enjoy discounts everywhere. For instance, the AARP card qualified me for a defense-driving course (8 hours, on Saturdays only. Cost $15.) which will reduce my car insurance bill by $200. Non-seniors can also take defensive driving, which will save them an average of $100 a year. The money saved in car insurance can then be invested in a local workshop.
Membership perks
Although not a discount in itself, joining a community of writers brings in a few significant perks. Free or discount registration for webinars and workshops, subscriptions, access to listservs of agents, and submission calls are some of the benefits. Most importantly, membership to an artist organization offers an immediate network of supportive fellow writers with whom to share the love for our work. When considering joining an organization, check out the calendar of events and their featured writers. Add and subtract to decide whether it will be worth spending $50 in an annual membership. For one such organization, check out The International Women Writers Guild.
In the meantime, keep a steady flow of submissions to increase your chances of getting published. Here are three contests with submission fees under $20 and with dollar prizes.
Colorado Review: Nelligan Prize for short fiction.
Deadline 3/14/18.
Submission Fee: $15
Prize: $2,000
The Pinch Journal: The 2018 Pinch Literary Award for Fiction, Non-Fiction and Poetry.
Deadline 3/15/18.
Submission Fee: $20
Prize: $1,000
Gemini Magazine: Short Story Contest.
Deadline: 3/31/18.
Submission Fee: $7
Prize: $1,000 plus publication
Lisbeth Coiman is an emergent, bilingual writer wandering the immigration path from Venezuela to Canada to the US. She has performed any available job from maid to college administrator. Her work has been published in Hip Mama, the Literary Kitchen, YAY LA, Nailed Magazine, Entropy, and RabidOak. She was also feature in the Listen to Your Mother Show in 2015. In her self-published memoir, I Asked the Blue Heron (Nov 2017), Coiman celebrates female friendship while exploring issues of child abuse, mental disorder, and her own journey as an immigrant.
She lives in Los Angeles, where she teaches and speaks for NAMI about living with a mental disorder. She dances salsa to beat depression.