I received an e-mail from faithwriters saying I had a private message from them, but I have to pay to sign up and get the message. They then dangled a preview of the messages i.e."...running into the FaithWriter's web site has truly been a blessing to our company - I just wish I could have run into it 5 months ago. Since we are a start-up company, the hardest thing for us has been finding quality Christian writers. The strange thing is, we have been successful in landing well-known authors to work with, but unsuccessful in finding raw talent. Thanks to your site, not only did we find the 5 writers we were looking for, but also we found 24 excellent writers with whom we wish to work with, both now and in the future. I thank God for your site, may He continue to bless FaithWriters and its staff."

You can see their work at: yadda yadda

What's up with that? I thought they were ligit as in no money.

Anyone else have this happen?

I have an account at Faith Writers, so far it has brought me only a few critiques, and no offers of freelance jobs, or any other kind of writing. That is one line item I will take out of my budget when my expiration date comes.

I've had several opportunities come through the private messenger thing - one in particular was the Central Appalachia Christian News job offer. I have a lot of information about me on the site that points to published works, etc., so I normally get targeted emails from publishers. About three times I got what seemed to be a bogus thing. Overall, the yearly cost of 36.00 netted me 300.00, and I deduct the cost as a professional membership due.

I may need to redo my profile or something. Thanks Dian.

Chickadee, I have recently found the FaithWriters website, but have not joined yet. I wasn't sure what they were all about, although I do believe there might be some ladies here that are part of it. Any info would be most helpful to determine whether it is beneficial to join.

I think this is one of those things where you have to decide what exactly you want out of the website, and why.

If you have your own website, and know how to research your markets, who you want to write for and where - you most likely don't need Faithwriters.

I had the Private Messenger service for one year. The $36 is almost double Cdn funds. I got maybe a couple of "leads" for where to submit work, but they were non-paying markets. At the end of the year - zip return - so I did not sign up for the service again. I also disagree with a service that automatically renews you - I want to give my consent first.

However, to be honest I only posted a couple of pieces of my work and was not overly involved with the site.

If you are going to be really involved with the site, want a place where you can post your work, get feedback, join writing contests and groups, etc. than it may be a worthwhile place for you to be a member of.

My advice would be to check it out first, poke around a bit, read as much as you can about it - and then decice if its worth it or not for you.

Hey I'm glad to find a place to ask this question. I joined Faithwriters a few months ago and have posted most of my articles there after posting in on line magazines. This morning I recieved a message on Faithwriters that was offering me a freelance position at The Encourager. They are paying .07 cents a word. I have decided to submit something I'm not sure what yet, something new. Anyway my question is has anybody heard of this publication? Their website is up and running yet and I have never seen the magazine, probably because I am not their target audience. According to the email the audience is people in prison although they do have readership that is not in prison.
I feel as if God has opened the door and I should go through but I am unsure. Please someone get back to me with some advice.

Thanks

Angel

I post on Faithwriters regularly, participate in their forums (a great bunch!), and enter the challenge periodically. Last week, I even placed. Yay! I didn't make it into the editors' choices which do go into the compilation of winning entries. I purchased the book my first winning entry was in. It looks similar to a Chicken Soup book, and I was so blessed to see my story in it.

Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1594679568/qid=1109542806/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-6659589-3684926?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

I have not paid to join. Like Evie, I've found access to enough outlets for my writing as it is, but I do enjoy a good challenge!

I haven't heard of that magazine. Hope you find out it's a great opportunity!

My Faithwriters mailbox has "two" messages waiting for me now, but it will cost 36.00 to view the contents.
MY opinion? I am disappointed with the websites ulterior motives to scam Christian Writers and plan to tell them just that.

chickadee

I just did.

chickadee

[ February 27, 2005, 08:28 PM: Message edited by: chickadee ]

Chickadee, About a year ago I posted 2 (not very good) poems on faithwriters.
Since then I receive an email almost every week from faithwriters saying I have messages which they imply are from someone wanting to hire me. Of course I have to pay the ransom to read the messages.
I am pretty sure it's a scam. I can't imagine anyone wanting to hire me based on two whiney poems written in the middle of the night more than a year ago.
There are so many scam artists out there. It's becoming like the old "pay me for a bunch of photos and I'll make you a model" or pay me to be your agent and I'll take you to Hollywood." It plays to our ego.

What's worse is the writer scams, publishing opportunities and online magazines that mask their intentions in religion.
smile