$1000 Grant - if you think your writing is a business

Idea Cafe, The Small Business Gathering Place® offers the chance to win a cash grant and gain media exposure for their business. The grant will award $1,000 in cash and $1,500 in advertising credits to the most inspirational small business owners, who are willing to turn their business dreams into reality. Second Place: $500 in Advertisements. Third Place: $500 in Advertisements.

You have to have been in business for six months or more. The application stage takes place between April 13 and June 12, 2011. The voting stage is July 1 to October 1, 2011. The more votes a company gets, the better the chance it has for winning a random drawing held the end of each month of July, August and September. These winners receive $500 in free advertising on DevStart network of websites and make it to the final round. Winner announced October 10, 2011. All types of business can enter.

NOTE: This contest lends itself nicely to children's authors making school appearances, motivational speakers with books to sell in the back of the room, copywriters, performance artists, how-to specialists - any writer that manages a business.

DOUBLE NOTE: Been running wide out trying to catch up from two weekends of conferences. They can wear me out, but they also trigger so many cool ideas and introduce me to people - many who become long-time friends. But now I'm home...in the study...with the garden and chickens at my disposal...and Spring at the ready. This is Nirvana, y'all.