Book Release Giveaways from John Griswold

Strange thing about this Internet. Over time, you can make "virtual" friends you care quite a lot about.

For me, one such friend is John Griswold, the eponymous blogger posting on The Education of Oronte Churm. More significant for this post's purposes, John is also the author of the new novel, A Democracy of Ghosts. I've just ordered the book, and I am really hoping it arrives in time for my holiday weekend reading. (Read John's description of his book here.)

Meantime (and until July 10), John is offering a slew of giveaways. Check out these goodies (and if you have ties to Southern Illinois, I think you'll be especially pleased).

And congratulations once again to John on his novel's publication!

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

"Electric Literature’s mission is to spark a revival of the short story by pairing captivating narratives from America's best contemporary writers with innovative new forms of distribution." Pays: $1,000 for each of the five stories published every other month. (via Duotrope.com)
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Emerald Tales is a new e-zine looking for short stories and poetry. The theme for the first issue is "Follow the Butterflies." Pays: $40/story and $20/poem. (via Duotrope.com)
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Northern Essex Community College (Mass.) seeks Part-time Fiction Writing Instructors
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Hamline University (Minn.) is looking for a Public Relations Specialist; the Getty Research Institute (Calif.) seeks an editor for its publications department; and the University of Colorado-Denver is looking for a Web Content Writer.
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"Quartet Press–a fledgling digital publisher formed recently by Kassia Krozser of Booksquare.com; Kirk Biglione of Medialoper.com; Kat Meyer, long-time book marketer for trade and academic presses; and an additional partner who is an experienced veteran of the book industry–has announced it is now accepting manuscript submissions in anticipation of its Fall 2009 launch. The Fall 2009 slate will kick off the house’s romance imprint, Quench!." (via Galleycat)
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And last, but definitely not least, I'm happy to announce the release of our updated (links checked and information verified) guide to paying markets for book reviewers. Check out the complimentary preview (with sample listings).

Friday Find: Music to Write By

I love writing while listening to classical music, so you can imagine how happy I was to discover (a bit late, apparently) the NPR Classical 50, which includes segments from many of my favorites. Hope you enjoy the collection, too. And have a wonderful weekend!

Don't Let Your Day Job Kill Your Writing

Although (or maybe because) I have yet to succumb to the Twitter craze, I've been following Jane Friedman's "Best Tweets for Writers" selections for several weeks now, and last week one of the links that Friedman highlighted really hit home for me.

It brought me to an article on "How to Keep Your Day Job from Killing Your Writing Career." Boy, do I need advice on that one.

In addition to the suggestions within the article, I'd love to hear about any strategies my own wise readers have found helpful!

The Wednesday Web Browser

Comforting words from author (and Harvard Review editor) Christina Thompson on "How to Write a Book in Ten Easy...Years."
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Avoid these "Five Common Flaws in Memoir Projects."
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It's long past time for me to acknowledge Cville Words, an informative blog that kindly links to our posts from time to time, and a resource that writers in the Charlottesville, Va., area should not miss.

Please Advise an Undergraduate Practicing Writer

Today, I'd like to solicit your advice for an undergraduate who contacted me over the weekend. I have this individual's permission to post the original message here:

I am currently heading into my 3rd year at ... College, majoring in creative writing, American Literature and literary theory. I am going to be in NYC (Brooklyn, specifically) in July and August before returning to school, and was wondering if you knew of any possible internships (paid or unpaid, no preference) that would be available at this date in writing or publishing. I'm looking for something that might offer some good experience for a soon to graduate student with an interest in writing and publishing. If you knew of anything or could help out in any way, I would be so grateful.

And I'd be grateful, too, if you'd share any suggestions in comments. Thank you!

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

About this time next week, our free monthly newsletter--filled with additional opportunities and submissions calls--will be going out to subscribers. It's definitely not too late to subscribe. Subscriptions are free, and we keep all e-mail addresses confidential. Plus, subscribers have access to a complimentary literary contest guide.
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Creative Screenwriting magazine is looking for freelance writers. Pays varying rates.
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Loyola College (Maryland) seeks a full-time adjunct instructor "to teach first-year core writing course and upper-level course(s) in area(s) of expertise."
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"The Savannah College of Art and Design is seeking candidates for a part-time faculty position in nonfiction writing, specifically creative nonfiction and/or magazine journalism. Qualified candidates should have the terminal degree or its equivalent in nonfiction writing or a related field. Applicants must have experience in nonfiction writing and an interest in primarily teaching courses within this specialty."
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Baruch College of The City University of New York is looking for a Communications and Marketing Web Specialist; the State University of New York-Cobleskill seeks a Director of Communications; and the University of Northern Colorado is looking for a Promotional Writer.
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If you are in the happy (and prolific) position of publishing your fourth book of fiction, you may want to take a look at the St. Francis College Literary Prize. This new biennial prize confers an award of $50,000. "The award winner is expected to come to campus in Fall 2009 to deliver a talk on his/her work and read selections from the book submitted. The award recipient is also asked to teach a short mini-workshop in fiction to qualified students at St. Francis College." Deadline: July 1, 2009. No entry fee. Check the site for more info.
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And last, but not least: Last week I completed the semiannual update of our very popular Directory of Paying Essay Markets. Check out the free preview (with several sample listings covering print, online, and anthology publications).

Friday Find: Nathan Bransford's "Writing Advice Database"

Literary agent Nathan Bransford recently posted a "Writing Advice Database" on his excellent blog. Categories cover "Before You Start," "The Writing Process," "Revising," "Genres and Classification," and "Staying sane during the writing/publishing process." Bransford calls it "an FAQ-style compendium of all the writing advice on the blog"--which is considerable. Check it out. And have a great weekend.

Quick Housekeeping Note

Hello, all. Just a quick note: I've been receiving more than the usual number of requests to post submission calls lately from editors whose publications do not pay writers (or pay only in copies). As you may have noticed over time, I promote only paying opportunities on this blog (and in my monthly newsletter). Moreover, I include only those opportunities that do not charge reading, entry, or any other fees.

While I sometimes mention nonpaying publications (or fee-charging contests) here, it's generally in the context of pointing you to my own work or other work that I admire. There are plenty of other sites/lists where you can find (and advertise) nonpaying opportunities. This one is different. Thank you all so much for your interest!

From My Bookshelf: Recent Reads

I'm pleased to report that my most recent reading includes books from each genre I try to deal with on this blog (and incorporate into my own writing practice): fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

As far as fiction goes, I am currently about halfway through John Updike's last story collection, My Father's Tears. I've been happy to discover stories "new" to me (like the one that opens the book, "Morocco") and I've been equally pleased to revisit ones that caught my attention back when they appeared in The Atlantic ("Varieties of Religious Experience") or The New Yorker ("Delicate Wives").

And I'm still thinking about Jessica Handler's memoir, Invisible Sisters, which I finished several days ago. It's a very sad book (the publisher's Web site sums it up as "a compelling, lyrical memoir of a girl who must navigate the loss of her two sisters before she can discover herself").

Finally, I'm making my way through The Book of Questions, by Pablo Neruda (translated by William O'Daly), and published in a wonderful bilingual edition by Copper Canyon Press, which I was lucky enough to receive as a recent gift. I am enjoying this slim volume so much. And while I'm trying to extract some poetry-writing lessons from it, I can't help being caught up in all the vivid phrases with another thought. And that is--wouldn't this make a great title? Or, at the very least, a prompt? Examples: "Imprisoned in One of Petrarch's Sonnets," "The Pale Tears of the Sky," or "The Hospital Garden."

What are you reading right now?

The Wednesday Web Browser: Ask Allison, Tablet Magazine, and Woolf Conference Recap

Author Allison Winn Scotch's popular "Ask Allison" blog--replete with posts on freelancing and fiction-writing--has a new home online.
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Speaking of changes online: Fans of Nextbook.org (moi included) are settling into a site redesign--and a new name, Tablet Magazine: A New Read on Jewish Life. One of the recently-launched features I'm most happy about: Josh Lambert's weekly column on new Jewish books. (Congrats, Josh. I look forward to all your updates!)
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Congrats also to my friend Anne, who recently ran a most successful conference focusing on Virginia Woolf. Do check out Sasha Graybosch's account of the event on The Rumpus.

The Best Novel You Never Finished Reading

I'll admit that I am too embarrassed to reveal the title of the new, much-buzzed-about-novel that I've simply failed to keep reading after getting through the first 50 pages. Fortunately, The New Yorker's Book Bench blog isn't exactly depending on me for its new series, "Books, Interrupted," which focuses on "failed" reading projects undertaken by the magazine's contributors and editors. The debut post comes from author Yiyun Li, who confesses that she's never made it through Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse (but when you read the post, you'll have to admit she's had some decent excuses).

(Anyone who wants to share his or her own biggest "book, interrupted" is welcome to do so here in comments.)

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

"Seton Hill University seeks published novelist of popular fiction (preferably mystery/suspense), to teach and to mentor novel-length theses in the graduate low-residency Writing Popular Fiction program (half-load), and to teach undergraduate courses in creative writing and first-year composition. This position will start January 2010. Background in journalism, publishing, and/or editing a plus. Teaching experience at graduate level desirable. MFA required (Ph.D preferred). 4/4 course load."
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"The University of Minnesota Duluth seeks applicants for two part-time, temporary term positions to teach literature and creative writing courses for the 2009-2010 academic year (beginning August 31, 2009)."
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Teaching jobs in the UK (via B.J. Epstein) include: Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in English and Creative Writing, University of Plymouth; Lecturer in Creative Writing, Brunel University; Lecturer in English and Creative Writing, Nottingham Trent University.
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Attention, Seattle-area writers: Writers in the Schools (WITS) "is looking for creative writers who are passionate about teaching the power and pleasure of writing to young people and who are excited to collaborate with public school teachers. Employment is part-time. Writers-in-residence typically teach one day a week from September through June for a total of 84 direct teaching hours. A yearlong commitment is required." Deadline: July 20, 2009.
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Some nonteaching jobs for writers: staff writer, Franklin and Marshall College (Pennsylvania); public relations specialist, Murray State University (Kentucky); director of development communications, Harvard Medical School (Massachusetts).
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Update from HOBART: "OK, we are at least semi-caught up, so we are again open to submissions. Send away! (Though keep in mind that we are still only reading our next theme issue: The Great Outdoors!)" Pays: $50-$150/story.
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Bitch magazine plans a winter 2010 theme on "Old," and supplies the following keywords: "aging, history, marginalization, nostalgia, witches." Pitch deadline is July 1."Payment is $100 for features, $50 for front-of-book pieces and back-page pieces, and $10-$20 for Love/Shoves."
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"World Hum updates daily and is dedicated to publishing travel stories, videos and slideshows of the highest quality." Check the site for descriptions of the different feature types (interviews, reviews, first-person narratives, etc.)."Payment varies."

Friday Find: List of PhD in Creative Writing Programs

Anyone contemplating a PhD in Creative Writing may wish to consult Seth Abramson's latest research product: a list of nearly 100 programs leading to just such a degree, within and outside the United States. Note that the program sites aren't linked within Seth's post, so that part of the investigating remains the reader's job. (Thank goodness for Google!)

Hope everyone has a great weekend. See you back here on Monday.

UPDATE (12/09): Seth Abramson has discontinued his blog, and this post is no longer available. The next-best resources may be the Poets & Writers program database and AWP's online directory to creative writing programs (in each case, you can limit the search to PhD programs).

Yesterday's News: Reflections on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

I am preparing this post on Wednesday night for posting early on Thursday. I have to be honest with you: I'm having a hard time focusing on anything but the terrible events that unfolded today at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

As some of you know, much of my writing--in every genre--has been influenced by my identity as the elder granddaughter of German Jews who fled to the United States in the late 1930s. I visited the USHMM shortly after it opened. At the time, I was especially moved by "Remember the Children: Daniel's Story," an exhibit that was designed with children in mind. (The fact that in the exhibit, Daniel's fictional sister is named "Erika" only added to the emotion of the visit.)

Although my sister's two children are still too young to understand this part of our family history, someday we will need to explain to them why the great-grandparents for whom they are named left Germany. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I've thought of bringing my niece and nephew to see the USHMM exhibit in Washington one day to help with that difficult task.

I am praying for the family of Stephen Tyrone Johns, the brave guard who stopped the shooter--and paid for that bravery with his life.

And I thank you all for indulging me with a post that I'd more typically leave on my "other" blog.

The Wednesday Web Browser: Teaching, Learning, Workshopping

Building on the interest generated last week, The New Yorker is running an online poll for those with MFA degrees. Questions include: What do you think of your MFA in creative writing? Was it worth it? Have you pursued a career in writing (freelance counts)? If so, is it the same genre of writing you got your degree in? Go ahead and answer--the poll is anonymous.
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Erin O'Connor provides an excellent take on Rachel Toor's latest "Page Proof" column, the subject of which is "writing like a doctor" (think mainly "doctor of philosophy").
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And then, on the McSweeney's site, there's Tanya Rey's "Comments Written by Actual Students Extracted from Workshopped Manuscripts at a Major University." (Thanks to the One Story blog for the tip.)

Famous Last Words (or Lines)

Long ago, I shared with you my discovery of a set of great first lines from novels. I recently visited the online source of that list (the American Book Review site), and was thrilled to find a counterpart: "100 Best Last Lines from Novels." (Scroll down the home page to locate it.)

Anyone have any favorite "last lines" to add?

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

The editors of On the Clock (to be published by Bottom Dog Press) "want to anthologize some outstanding fiction about working in a post-industrial world or making the transition from manual labor to intellectual labor, or the conflict of living in both spheres. In short, we want modern stories about people and their work." Deadline is October 1, 2009; reading will begin July 1, 2009. Pays: $50 plus two copies. Will consider reprints. (via the NewPages blog)
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Just received a reminder e-mail from the Cup of Comfort folks: Submissions for A Cup of Comfort for Mothers are due June 15, 2009. And July 1, 2009 is the deadline for A Cup of Comfort for a Better World: Stories that Celebrate Generosity, Compassion, and Volunteerism. Visit the call for submissions page for details on these paying opportunities.
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Comment, a Canadian magazine "equipping and connecting the next generation of Christian leaders," invites poets "to submit contributions in the form of a rondeau suitable for publication in our September print issue. This will be our fourth annual 'Making the Most of College' issue, and the submitted poems should in some way be connected with that theme, or with the beginning of the school year." Winner will receive $50 (presumably in Canadian funds) and publication; two other winners will also receive publication. Deadline: June 15, 2009. No entry fee. (via ImageUpdate)
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The UCL Environment Institute (University College London) seeks a writer-in-residence for the 2009-2010 academic year. "The writer will be required to conduct a programme of work for academic staff and researchers linking creative writing with environmental issues centred on climate change and also pursue their own work on the subject. The specific content and structure of this programme will be your proposal and will form the basis of selection at the interview stage. We anticipate that it might include a combination of such activities as workshops, public readings and seminars." Deadline for application is June 19, 2009.
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The Guide to Literary Agents blog introduces us to Jennifer Weltz of Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency. "Jennifer accepts some juvenile work, thrillers, historical fiction, women's fiction and more."
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"Lebanon Valley College [Pennsylvania] invites applications for a one-year, full-time position as a visiting assistant professor of English beginning fall 2009. The successful candidate must have a firm commitment to undergraduate teaching and will teach freshman writing, literature, communications, and creative writing courses."

Friday Find: New Review of Forgetting English, by Midge Raymond

Longtime Practicing Writing readers know how much I admire Fiction Writers Review. At long last, I am delighted to announce that this practicing writer is now an official contributor to that terrific online publication!

Please read my review of Midge Raymond's prizewinning story collection, Forgetting English. (It turns out that Raymond's book happens to be a June selection from Andrew's Book Club, too--how nice is that?)

Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend!

Writing About Writing Programs

I've been feeling pretty unwell this week (but my doctor says I do NOT have swine flu, and for that I am grateful). I nearly missed Louis Menand's review-essay in The New Yorker, which centers on that old question: Should creative writing be taught?. But my ever-thoughtful mother, knowing that I haven't been reading with my usual clarity, pointed it out to me. (Thanks, Mom!)

And online, there's more.

I can't help wishing Menand had said at least something about low-residency programs--I'll have to see if the new book he writes about in this piece (Mark McGurl's The Program Era) focuses on them at all.

In any case, it'll be interesting to see the letters to the editors on this one....

The Wednesday Web Browser: Getting Paid, Conference Recap, Poetry@Harvard

The Renegade Writer presents The Freelancer's Guide to Getting Paid.
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Missed the BEA/Writer's Digest Conference? Check out the link-rich roundup.
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My alma mater's been on my mind a lot lately, and I was perusing its Web site when I found this new beta offering: Poetry@Harvard, which offers "a vital nexus of poetry-related courses, library collections, events, organizations, publications and pedagogy at Harvard University."

News from the Nieman Narrative Journalism Program

Another recession casualty--I received the news via e-mail over the weekend:

Dear Friends of the Nieman Narrative Journalism Program,

I write to tell you of the Nieman Foundation’s decision to suspend the Nieman Conference on Narrative Journalism and the Nieman Seminar for Narrative Editors during the 2009-2010 academic year.

This will disappoint those who have participated in the conferences in the past and who anticipated attending another narrative gathering in the spring of 2010. This difficult step reflects the foundation’s need to make a major reduction in spending for the next fiscal year, beginning in July.

The annual conferences, which were attended by hundreds of journalists and writers, were part of our strategy to establish the Nieman Foundation as a leader in supporting the value of long-form storytelling.

Our commitment to narrative will continue through the narrative writing class offered to Nieman Fellows and our online Nieman Narrative Digest. The site is now updated bi-monthly and features notable narratives, interviews with authors, essays on craft, a narrative lexicon, useful links for writers and other resources.

I also encourage you to visit our Nieman Journalism Lab, Nieman Reports, and Nieman Watchdog Web sites for industry news, tips and inspiration.

Thank you for your wonderful support of our narrative endeavors.

Best regards,
Robert H. Giles
Nieman Foundation Curator

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

Poets & Writers, Inc., is looking for a managing director.
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Sarabande Books, an independent, nonprofit, literary press established in 1994, is seeking a Marketing Director/Development Assistant. They are looking for an individual with a strong commitment to contemporary poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as superior organizational and public relations skills. Minimum BA, MFA, and /or experience desirable. Candidates must be self-starters and highly attentive to details and deadlines. The position includes full-time salary, health, dental, and retirement benefits, private office equipped with a Mac, and ample marketing budget. Job responsibilities include:

* Marketing and publicity for each of ten annual titles
* Attendance at three annual book conferences
* Twice yearly visits to NYC book reviewers
* Some fundraising activity

Please send letter, resume, three phone references, and a list of your top fifteen favorite contemporary poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction titles by June 15 to Sarah Gorham at sgorham(at)sarabandebooks(dot)org. (via KFW Hot Flash)
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Attention, Maine writers! "The Individual Artist Fellowships reward artistic excellence, advance the careers of Maine artists, and promote public awareness regarding the eminence of the creative sector in Maine." Deadline: June 12, 2009. Award is $13,000. No application fee indicated.
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Get to know literary agent Christine ("Chris") Morehouse through this interview on the Guide to Literary Agents blog.
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Contributors are sought for The Greenwood Encyclopedia of American Indian Issues Today. "Contributors receive a modest honorarium."