My Grandma Rose

I just want to post a few words today about my Grandma Rose, who passed away on September 30, 1984. I was fifteen at the time, and her death marked my first experience of losing someone close to me.

Grandma Rose was my mother's mother. She was born in Eastern Europe (she liked to say she was born in Vienna, but genealogical research--some by me and some by one of my mother's cousins--suggests a Polish village is more likely). She came to this country as a seven-year-old who spoke no English and hadn't seen her father in six years. She was the oldest of five sisters who survived to adulthood (another baby girl died at 13 months, and another was stillborn). She was a divorced mother raising two children at a time when that still raised eyebrows. She faced plenty of struggles in her life, yet took great joy in her family, her opera records, her Jewish heritage, and her painting. And she was an early and devoted fan of my writing (especially one story I wrote in fifth grade about the Mona Lisa).

If she were here today she'd be 94 (probably still looking far younger than she really was), and great-grandmother to nine beautiful children, ages 6 months to 7 years. I see bits of her in all of them.

Friday Find: AWP 2008 Conference Schedule

So last summer the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) rejected the panel proposal I helped organize. That doesn't mean I'm not interested in the newly-posted conference schedule. If you're contemplating attending the conference (which will be held in New York City at the end of January/beginning of February 2008), you'll want to take a look at it, too.

Reportage on "Writing in Jewish" Panel at the Museum of the City of New York

New York provides an true embarrassment of riches when it comes to literary events (and if I had more energy/wherewithal at the end of the workday, I'd attend many more of them). Last week I did manage to make an after-work foray uptown to the Museum of the City of New York, where a panel of authors, moderated by the Forward's arts and culture editor, Alana Newhouse, discussed "Writing in Jewish." And yesterday Poets & Writers posted my reportage describing the event.

Wednesday Web Browser

Brock Clarke's new novel, An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England, is on my TBR list, and I'm even more eager to read it now that I've seen this "quickie interview" on the Ploughshares blog.
==========
If you're looking for a guide to the works of Philip Roth (albeit a decidedly subjective one), an article in this week's New York magazine helps you out.
==========
I enjoyed this piece on "real-life plot twists" taken from the lives of famous writers. You might, too.

Career Advice for a Poet

Remember when the Chronicle of Higher Education's CV Doctor offered to critique a cv from an MFA grad seeking a teaching position? Well, the result is now available. Click here to see what the experts said about a cv submitted by "a recent M.F.A. in poetry." (It's worth checking the general cv tips, too.)

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

The latest issue of Contrary, an online "journal of unpopular discontent," is now available for your reading pleasure, and submissions are open (until December 1) for the next one. Contrary publishes fiction, poetry, commentary, and reviews, and pays $20 for each byline ($60 for "featured work"), on publication. Submission guidelines here.

==========
ProQuest seeks freelancers "to write English abstracts for peer reviewed journal articles and to also provide translated titles of articles written in a foreign language." Freelancers should be able to read any of the following languages: Danish, Dutch, Hungarian, Norwegian, Swedish, and/or Russian. Pays: $11/abstract. See the craigslist announcement.

==========
Attention college students! The Writer magazine has just posted guidelines for its 2008 Sylvia K. Burack Scholarship, which awards $500 plus a year's subscription to the magazine. Open to full-time undergrads attending colleges/universities in the United States or Canada, this competition has no entry fee.

==========
This is an intriguing contest (again, with no entry fee), open to writers resident in the United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland (and this blog sure does receive visits from overseas!): The Times/Vintage Classics Ghost Story Competition will award its winner publication in The Times, plus an overnight stay for two in a "haunted hotel" and a selection of classic Halloween tales. The story must be received by midday October 1, 2007. As always, be sure to read the full terms/conditions before submitting.

==========
The next (October) issue of our Practicing Writer newsletter will go out to subscribers by week's end. Look for plenty more opportunities to be listed there! (If you're not a subscriber yet, what are you waiting for? It's free, and we do not share e-mail addresses at all. Plus, you'll get access to a complimentary literary contest guide as a subscriber benefit.)

==========
The college teaching job announcements come fast and furious this time of year. Here are some I've located over the past week:

Assistant Professor (specialty in literary nonfiction writing), University of Iowa.
Director, Undergraduate Creative Writing, University of Iowa.
Assistant Professor in Creative Writing (creative nonfiction), Washburn University.
Assistant Professor of English (nonfiction), University of Wisconsin/Oshkosh
Associate or Full Professor (fiction), Brooklyn College.
Assistant Professor of English (fiction), Kennesaw State University.

Friday Find: "Casting Bread into the Water"

This evening and tomorrow I will be celebrating (though "celebrating" doesn't quite seem to capture the mood of what's a very somber holiday) Yom Kippur. Especially for those practicing writers who may also be observing it, I recommend this lovely essay by Rachel Kadish.

See you back here on Monday.

Classic Literature for Kids, On Television

After work yesterday I went over to babysit for/spend some time with my niece (age 4) and nephew (age 1). (Happily, they live about five minutes from my office, and I can do this fairly often.)

Once the baby fell asleep, and my niece was bathed and fed, she and I settled down to watch a little more TV than usual, a little later than usual. Thus we were introduced to the "Wishbone" series on PBS. Now, I consider myself a major influence on my niece's library (and on her very gratifying interest in stories and poems). But even I was stunned, and then stuttering, as I tried to explain the narrative of A Tale of Two Cities--recast with a talking dog facing execution at the guillotine--to someone who hasn't yet started kindergarten.

Apparently "Wishbone" was pretty popular in the mid-late 1990s (when I had no real reason to be watching children's television). I can't help thinking that creative as it may be, it just doesn't compare to a PBS favorite from my childhood, which introduced me to work by Charles Dickens: "Once Upon a Classic." Any fellow fans of that wonderful show out there?

The Wednesday Web Browser

You'll need to spend some quality time reading these intense pieces. But it will be worth it.

Three articles I've been thinking and talking about this week (and, for that matter, will probably be thinking and talking about for weeks to come):

David Grossman reveals why he's had to write about the Holocaust.
==========
Major Jackson wonders why white poets don't write about race.
==========
Rachel Donadio revisits the canon wars.

From My Bookshelf: Faint Praise: The Plight of Book Reviewing in America

I may be a tad late to this party (over at Book/Daddy, Jerome Weeks published an essay about this book and the issues it raises nearly two months ago), but on the other hand, it's never too late to tell others about a book you've read and think others should read, too. And if you're a book reviewer (aspiring or established), or simply want to understand book reviewing better, there's no doubt: You must read Gail Pool's Faint Praise: The Plight of Book Reviewing in America. Period. It's the closest thing we have to a textbook on the subject (and eminently more readable than most textbooks prove to be).

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

dANDdelion magazine, a semiannual Canada-based literary journal, is looking for submissions for a special issue on "Radical Translation." Deadline: October 1, 2007. Pays: $50 on publication (presumably in Canadian dollars). Accepts submissions via e-mail. More information here. (via placesforwriters)

==========
This news courtesy of Duotrope.com: The Wild Blue Yonder short fiction contest has been suspended, and the Chick Lit Review is no longer paying its writers.

==========
Southern Families magazine is looking for freelance articles and reprints. "Most of our articles are informative and humorous and based on daily experience as a parent, grandparent, aunt, etc. Subjects can range from children with special needs to home and garden ideas to craft ideas to family activity ideas...the list goes on." Pays: $15-$40, on publication. See the announcement here.

==========
The deadline (September 30) is approaching for the 3rd Annual Metcalf Rooke Award for Fiction (one of 260+ competitions included within our Guide to No-Cost Literary Contests and Competitions). Open to "all Canadian writers with an unpublished book length manuscript of short or novel-length fiction," this competition "uphold[s] and celebrate[s] the tradition of small press publishing and independent bookselling in Canada" and "champion[s] the writing of new and up-and-coming Canadian writers." This year's winner will receive a publishing contract with Biblioasis; a $1,500 advance; a leather-bound copy of his/her book; a book launch at the Ottawa International Writers Festival; and a regional book tour. Click here for more information.

==========
Massachusetts Bay Community College seeks a part-time Assistant Editor for Communications (10-15 hours/week). See the announcement here.

==========
The Department of English of the College of Staten Island seeks candidates for an anticipated tenure track position as Assistant Professor of English in Creative Writing beginning September 2008. "Required: M.F.A. in Creative Writing and/or a Ph.D. in English; we are looking for a poet with a strong record of teaching and an active publishing agenda: preference will be given to applicants who have published at least one volume of poems. We are interested in receiving applications from poets with a secondary expertise in fiction writing, especially those whose experience and skills would contribute to the teaching of multi-genre classes in a workshop setting." See the announcement here.

==========
The University of Wyoming is looking for an Assistant Professor of Nonfiction (tenure-track) to join the MFA faculty in fall 2008. See the announcement here.

==========
Columbia College (Chicago)"invites applications for a full-time tenure track/tenured faculty position beginning with the Fall 2008 semester, teaching fiction to undergraduate and graduate students." See the announcement here.

Friday Find: "Where Poets Go Online"

I know. The last thing you need is another list of links to further derail you from actually writing when you're at your computer. But for those of you who may be curious about valued poetry-focused blogs, Jessica Winter has rounded up suggestions from a number of practicing poets. Check them out. And have a great weekend!

The Wednesday Web Browser

As I near the end of my first online poetry class, I'm even more intrigued by the experiences of those who write and publish both poetry and prose.
==========
Numerically, and in terms of sales figures, perhaps it's true that "novels about 9/11 can't stack up to non-fiction". But that doesn't mean fiction writers should necessarily stay away from the subject.
==========
And still more on dealing with disturbing student writing.

This practicing writer will be celebrating the Jewish New Year tomorrow, and won't be posting here. L'shanah tovah!

From My Bookshelf: On Chesil Beach

This weekend I read Ian McEwan's On Chesil Beach. And its final paragraph has really stayed with me.

Because as I was reading the somber anniversary of 9/11, which, for me, always prompts a lot of thinking, was approaching? Because the Jewish Holy Days (which tend to also inspire a fair amount of reflection, on life and on death) begin this week? I don't know.

But since I've already written about how challenging I find crafting endings myself, I thought I'd share with you one that has really impressed me. (If you're still waiting to read the book, consider yourself alerted to a potential spoiler.)

As always, I think it's very difficult to explicate (or appreciate) an ending without reading what has preceded it. But I hope something here may seem resonant to some of you, as well. Today, especially.

When he thought of her, it rather amazed him, that he had let that girl with her violin go. Now, of course, he saw that her self-effacing proposal was quite irrelevant. All she had needed was the certainty of his love, and his reassurance that there was no hurry when a lifetime lay ahead of them. Love and patience--if only he had had them both at once--would surely have seen them both through. And then what unborn children might have had their chances, what young girl with a headband might have become his loved familiar? This is how the entire course of a life can be changed--by doing nothing. On Chesil Beach he could have called out to Florence, he could have gone after her. He did not know, or would not have cared to know, that as she ran away from him, certain in her distress that she was about to lose him, she had never loved him more, or more hopelessly, and that the sound of his voice would have been a deliverance, and she would have turned back. Instead, he stood in cold and righteous silence in the summer's dusk, watching her hurry along the shore, the sound of her difficult progress lost to the breaking of small waves, until she was a blurred, receding point against the immense straight road of shingle gleaming in the pallid light.

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

The Tin House Spring 2008 issue will be themed "Off the Grid." "We're looking for fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by or about people or institutions that function (or don't function) out of the bounds of 'normal' society. For the 'Lost and Found' section we are looking for brief appreciations of texts written outside of conventional publishing--prison, exile, mental institutions, in secret." Deadline: November 1, 2007, "but please submit before then as the issue will get crowded early." Submission guidelines here.

==========
Hayden's Ferry Review plans a themed issue on "The Grotesque." The journal "is looking for prose, poetry, and visual art that explore the humanity, beauty, and reality of the literary grotesque--the monstrous, the unusual, the abnormal. Deadline: January 15, 2008. See the call here. Pays: $25/page (to a maximum of $100), plus copies and a subscription.

==========
Fiction writer Bathsheba Monk is running a short story contest. The winning story will be posted on her Web site and its author will receive $500. "Other stories of note will be posted with their author's permission." There is no entry fee. More information available here. NB: I checked with Ms. Monk because I initially did not see a deadline listed; she tells me that the deadline is December 31, 2007, and that that information will soon be added to the Web site.

==========
The Goody Two Shoes of 2007-Inspiration Good Deeds Contest invites submissions about your own or someone else's good deeds. The top entry and three runners-up will be published in The Point of Life Global Newsletter and on Point of Life Web site. The winner receives $500. NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline: December 31, 2007. More information here. (via CRWROPPS)

==========
Applications/nominations sought for the editorship of The Georgia Review. "Founded in 1947, The Georgia Review is one of America's premier journals of arts and letters, publishing some of the best poetry, fiction, and art being created today, along with a rich blend of interdisciplinary essays and book reviews./The Editor reports to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Georgia and works
with a seven-member faculty editorial board and a group of advisory and contributing editors.The staff consists of six full-time employees and a half-time graduate research assistant." More information here

==========
"The Franklin & Marshall English Department invites applications from creative non-fiction writers for a possible three-year visiting Assistant Professorship, to begin in the fall of 2008. Significant publications, including at least one book, commitment to undergraduate teaching, and a terminal degree in creative writing are required. Teaching experience in a secondary genre is welcome. The 3/2 teaching load will include a multi-genre introductory creative writing course, a non-fiction writing workshop, literature offerings, and involvement in the College's general education program. The writer we seek will become part of a thriving writing community, which includes a Creative Writing major, a Writers House, and an impressive reading series, including the F&M Emerging Writers Festival." See the announcement here.

==========
The University of Tennessee (Knoxville) "seeks an Assistant Professor in Fiction Writing, tenure track. Requirements include (1) a history of excellent teaching, (2) a substantial record of publication, and (3) an MFA or PhD in Creative Writing. Additional publications in a second genre are preferred. Besides significant creative output, duties will include both graduate and undergraduate workshops, instructor-designed graduate Special Topics courses, and active supervision of student writing projects on all levels." More information here.

==========
DePauw University (Indiana) invites applications for a tenure-track position beginning August 2008 in Fiction Writing. "M.F.A. or equivalent terminal degree required; rank and salary commensurate with experience./Knowledge and experience in other genres helpful. Teaching includes introductory/advanced courses in creative writing, introductory literature, and first-year college writing. Promise of publication and teaching excellence required. Commitment to undergraduate teaching in liberal arts setting essential." More information here.

==========
"The Department of Writing at the University of Victoria invites applications for a position as the Harvey Stevenson Southam Lecturer./Successful applicants will serve one semester, from January through April, as a visiting professor in the Department of Writing. During his or her appointment, the visiting writer will give a public lecture on issues related to contemporary journalism, will teach one journalism or non-fiction course, and will serve as a mentor and advisor to students within the Department of Writing." According to the announcement, they're looking for a writer "of national stature." Find out more here.

Friday Find: September Giveaways for Writers (Redux)

The reason I am reminding you about the September Giveaways coordinated by "The Writer Mama" (Christina Katz) is twofold. First, Christina's energy in maintaining this project over this past week is impressive enough--the idea that she's going to keep this going another three weeks is almost awe-inspiring.

And second, well, tomorrow is the day that the giveaways will include two of our e-books. So if you want to try to snag free copies of our "Guide to No-Cost Literary Contests and Competitions" AND our "Directory of Paying Essay Markets", tomorrow you'll have your chance. Be sure to visit Christina's blog on Saturday, September 8. Look for the post about the September 8 giveaway (I promise it won't be hard to find, but I'll try to post an update here with the link in case that helps). And comment as directed. Good luck! (I would love for one of this blog's readers to win!)

UPDATE: HERE'S THE PROMISED LINK. HURRY OVER!

Five Signs of Auspicious Anthologies

Earlier this week I saw a post over at the NewPages.com blog on anthology submission calls that reminded me of an article I published in our newsletter about a year ago. What I wrote back then still holds true, so I thought I'd reprint it here. Hope you enjoy it--and find it useful. And please add your take in comments: What makes you choose to submit to an anthology call? What advice would you offer fellow writers?

SIGNS OF AUSPICIOUS ANTHOLOGIES

by Erika Dreifus

Quite recently WritersWeekly.com, a popular writers' site, published an "Ask the Expert" reader's question about the wisdom of submitting to anthologies, along with Angela Hoy's response. That exchange left a decidedly negative impression about anthologies, leveling a specific charge against anthologies that require writers to submit full manuscripts rather than queries. It prompted me to think carefully about the reasons I do publish (selected) anthology calls in my own newsletter for writers, and on my blog, and about the aspects of such calls that can prompt me to submit my own work. I was able to consolidate these thoughts into five Signs of Auspicious Anthologies to share with you.

1) SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS. You can continue to submit your poem, essay, or short story elsewhere (only to other publications that allow simsubs, of course), while you wait for the anthology editor's response. In this respect, practicing writers recognize that submitting to an anthology resembles closely the similarly competitive process of submitting to a literary journal. Literary journals typically require you to submit the entire story, poem, or essay "on spec." Usually it's a creative piece you've already written. (Unless you're a pretty well-known and well-published writer, sending a query before writing a story, poem, or essay for publication simply won't get you very far.) The exceptions as far as literary journals are concerned tend to be for book reviews and interviews, where queries are often required, in part to reduce the chance of multiple writers working on the same material. Check literary journals, including many profiled within WritersWeekly.com's own market listings, for examples.

2) REPRINTS WELCOME. You've already published the piece and retain rights to it? Look for those anthologies that consider reprints (among them: volumes published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, Cup of Comfort, God Allows U-Turns, and Travelers' Tales). Linked to "reprints welcome" are policies of purchasing "nonexclusive" or "one-time" rights. An anthology should not be seeking "all rights" to your work.

3) PAYMENT. Some anthologies pay more than token amounts--into triple digits. Especially for a reprint, that's nice.

4) FREE COPIES--PLUS DISCOUNTS--OFFERED. Avoid any anthology "opportunity" that requires you to purchase a copy of the completed book containing your work (as usual, any mention of an anthology "reading fee" should make you wary, too). You should receive at least one complimentary copy. It's even better if you're given a discount (50% is not uncommon) on additional copies, so you can sell the book at your own readings and events.

5) IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE. We all know there may be moments when some writers may be willing to "write for free." Depending on your outlook (or checkbook), an anthology whose profits will go to something like Katrina or tsunami relief rather than to its authors/editors may be worth your effort, too.

Of course, you may not find all these criteria within a given anthology call. It's possible, for example, that an anthology editor may not welcome reprints, but will be happy for you to continue submitting your work to other editors/publications while you're waiting for his or her response. Or a publisher may seek first rights only but may also pay more for them.

As with all publishing opportunities, you should proceed with caution as you approach anthologies. But it doesn't seem right to dismiss them altogether.

Anthology publishers mentioned in this article:

Chicken Soup for the Soul
(Note that you can find more information about selected Chicken Soup for the Soul titles at The Publishing Syndicate, where Ken and Dahlynn McKowen offer details about specific books they're developing.)

Cup of Comfort

God Allows U-Turns

Travelers' Tales


(c) Copyright 2006 by Erika Dreifus

Sick Day

Sorry, folks. I'm fighting a fever, sore throat, sore ears, and headache. Taking the day off from work (and from the blog) and trying to get to the doctor. Hope to be back with something more interesting (and useful to you) tomorrow.

Monday (Tuesday) Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

Here's a question for you Practicing Writers: In addition to the submission calls, competition announcements, freelance opportunities, and notes on new jobs in the teaching of creative writing, would you like me to post more full-time jobs for writers? I'm one of those writers who found a "day job" that relies on writing skills (and offers a steady paycheck and benefits, too), and I'm wondering if you'd like the blog to publicize more of those possibilities. Please comment!


Just a reminder that our September newsletter, packed with additional announcements/opportunities, went out to subscribers at the end of last week. Did you miss it? Our archives are available to subscribers. Not a subscriber yet? What are you waiting for? Subscriptions are free (and easy) and we do not share subscriber addresses with anyone. Bonus: New subscribers receive recently-updated e-book, From (A)lgren to (Y)eats: The Practicing Writer's Guide to Eponymous Literary Competitions.
==========
Descant (Canada) seeks submissions for a Fall 2009 issue on the theme of "dance." Looking for "stories, essays, poems, photos, art and installations." Deadline: June 1, 2008. Pays: $100 honorarium on publication (presumably in Canadian funds). No simultaneous or previously published submissions. Information here.
==========
For those of you who have talents in both writing and visual art (and I, for one, envy you), there's a new publication on the way that seems likely to interest you: The Writer's Eye Magazine: "The Writer's Eye will feature articles, book reviews, and stories from writer-artists, integrating both forms of expression." Paying market. Guidelines here. (via Duotrope.com)
==========
News from Common Ties. "Effective immediately Common Ties will begin reviewing a new category of stories we call Quickies. These submissions should be 200 words or less. Quickies must initially fit into one of three general categories: 1) secrets and confessions; 2) moments of extreme euphoria or enlightenment; and 3) moments of extreme embarrassment, shame, terror or despair. The stories can be on any topic but must center around something that happened to you or someone you know well." Previously published material will be considered, provided that you retain the rights. Pays: "Our basic payment is $75 per story, but this is only a guideline [....] If we approach you to record your story you will be paid an additional $75 should your recording be accepted." Read the guidelines here. (via Flash Fiction Flash newsletter, though Common Ties is not looking for fiction)
==========
The Sarabande Student Poetry Competition awards a $500 cash prize, letterpress broadside of the winning poem, and publication on the Sarabande Books Web site. The competition is open to full-time undergraduate Kentucky students only. There's NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline: November 1, 2007 (received). Read the full submission guidelines here.
==========
Pitzer College (California) is looking for an Assistant Professor Creative Writing. "Pitzer College invites applications for a tenure-track appointment in creative writing (poetry, fiction, or performance) beginning Fall 2008. Areas of interest include nature-writing, urban issues, or gender and feminist issues. Ability to teach multiple genres desirable. Candidate will teach introductory and upper-level courses in creative writing, and will advise students in the Creative Writing track. Commitment to teaching in a liberal arts setting essential. M.F.A or Ph.D. (with creative writing emphasis) and/or significant publications required." Read the announcement here.
==========
Penn State Erie/The Behrend College seeks an Assistant/Associate Professor of English/Creative Writing, "with a primary specialty in literary nonfiction and a secondary specialty in either fiction or poetry, beginning August, 2008. The position requires excellence in teaching and scholarship, as well as involvement in college and departmental service. Course load is three classes per semester. Teaching responsibilities include courses in literary nonfiction, either poetry or fiction, and other related courses." Read the announcement here.
==========
West Virginia University University is looking for an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing (Fiction). "Applicants must have a MFA, Ph.D., or other terminal degree in an appropriate field (Creative Writing or English preferred), clear evidence of success in publication, and demonstrated teaching excellence. We seek candidates who will add to the diversity of approaches and perspectives in a thriving undergraduate and MFA program in Creative Writing. Anticipated areas of teaching include undergraduate and graduate courses in fiction writing, the capstone course for the undergraduate creative writing concentration, and genre courses in literature (novel and short story)." Read the announcement here.
==========
The College of Wooster (Ohio) seeks an Assistant Professor of English. "Tenure-track position, beginning Fall 2008. Expertise in African-American literature OR in African-American literature and fiction writing. The successful applicant will participate in the College's interdisciplinary programs, including First-Year Seminar and the program in writing; teaching load includes four or five courses a year as well as directing Senior Independent Study projects." Requires Ph.D. in English. Read the announcement here.