Friday Find: Five Sources for Daily Poetry

Earlier this week, I alluded to the fact that I subscribe to several e-services that send me a poem every day. I'm sure that many of you subscribe as well, but I thought I'd provide five representative services for those who have yet to try them.

• Poem-A-Day
• Poetry Daily
• Verse Daily
• The Writer's Almanac
• Your Daily Poem (a recent discovery, via Diane Lockward)

Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend. See you back here on Monday!

Thursday's Pre-Publication Post: Anticipating the Worst

"Anticipating the Worst" may not be the most uplifting or optimistic phrase I've used in any of these pre-publication posts to date. Overall, it's been a joy and a blessing simply to know that my story collection, Quiet Americans, is going to be published.

But this weekend, as I sat with a printout of the designed book interior, reading through the entire book (aloud) to catch any last glitches (yes, there's a professional proofer at work as well), I became a bit queasy. What if these stories aren't quite as good as I'd hoped they were? What if people begin reading and dislike the writing intensely? What if the reviews are uniformly negative?

Admittedly, some of this newfound nervousness may be due to two concomitant factors: this week's focus on negative reviews in Janice Harayda's #bkrev tweets, and my visiting a number of book bloggers' sites and reading their review policies, many of which warn (fairly and honestly) about the possibility of negative opinions.

Then, too, I'm sure it's natural that as a publication date approaches one simply becomes a little fearful about the book's reception. Right? Right? Totally normal.

It may be normal, but it's also nerve-wracking. I'd love some tips from other authors about managing this kind of pre-pub anxiety. Please share--and thank you in advance.

The Wednesday Web Browser

I subscribe to several "poem-a-day" services, and a few days ago I received a poem from one of them (Poem-A-Day) that I found simply extraordinary: Charles Harper Webb's "Prayer for the Man Who Mugged My Father, 72."
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Over on Twitter, Janice Harayda is using a #bkrev hashtag to discuss book reviewing. Yesterday's focus: negative reviews.
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Here's a fun list: the 25 Greatest Fictional Lawyers (Who Are Not Atticus Finch). (via AboveTheLaw.com)
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The wonderful Sage Cohen has a new article out on "Top 10 Productivity Pitfalls for Writers to Avoid." (I've already pre-ordered Sage's forthcoming book, The Productive Writer.)

Quotation of the Week: Adam Langer

In an interview occasioned by the recent publication of his latest book, The Thieves of Manhattan (on my tbr list), Adam Langer was asked the following:

"Did you meet with early success, in terms of getting your first novel accepted for publication, or was it a long, hard road for you?"

Langer's response offers this week's "Quotation of the Week":

"If I pretended that my first published novel, Crossing California, was actually the first novel I wrote, I'd say that it was easy. I'd say, yup, I finished the book, got an agent, got a contract, and started work on Book #2. But in saying that, I'd be ignoring the fact that my first novel, Making Tracks, a teen detective story written when I was in high school, is still in a drawer. And so is my second novel, It Takes All Kinds, a 300-page long screed about my first week at Vassar. Also, my third novel, A Rogue in the Limelight, a picaresque journey modeled on Huck Finn and The Confederacy of Dunces, never found the right agent, even though some people (well, my mother) have called it my best novel. One of my earliest agents said that my fourth novel, Indie Jones, a slacker comedy set in Chicago's independent film world, would easily find a home at Doubleday, but that didn't happen. And I stopped looking for an agent for my fifth novel, an existential thriller called American Soil, when I realized there was too much personal shit in it and I really didn't want to deal with having it published. But yeah, once I finished Book #6, it was smooth sailing."

Source: The Huffington Post

(Hat tip to Josh Lambert for the interview link.)

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

Grant opportunity for New Hampshire writers: Artist Entrepreneurial Grants. "Recognizing that artist entrepreneurs contribute significantly to New Hampshire’s economy, this grant category supports opportunities that will increase the capacity of professional artists, including the development of business skills needed to support their art making, participation in programs intended to raise the level and quality of their art making, and participation in programs that will bring their art to the widest possible markets." Check the website for details on eligible projects/expenses. Requests may be made for grants from $250 to $1,000. Deadlines: August 6, 2010 (for projects between October 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011) and January 14, 2011 (for projects between March 1, 2011 - September 30, 2011). No application fee.
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Attention, Australian writers! SmallRoom seeks your words (and will pay $100 AU for selected work). Submissions should run no longer than 1500 words. "Remember, it can be anything: microfiction, poetry, feature article, angry letter, you name it. We only ask that you inspire us. Is that too much to ask?" (NB: According to Duotrope.com, where I discovered this publication, writers "must be Australian to submit.)
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Tablet Magazine is looking for interns: "If you have experience in journalism and are familiar with the landscape of American Jewish life, we’d love to hear from you. We are hiring interns to work two or three days a week at our office in New York City. Interns will assist the editorial staff with research and administrative tasks, as well as contributing blog posts and full features, and will receive paid stipends." Apply by August 2 (fall term internships begin August 16).
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Job announcement from Texas State University-San Marcos: "Assistant professor of English, specialty in fiction writing, with secondary specialization in non-fiction writing. The successful applicant is expected to maintain an active record of publication in fiction and/or creative non-fiction and to teach primarily in the graduate fiction program and to direct MFA theses, with some teaching of undergraduate creative writing. Teaching assignment may include other undergraduate literature or composition courses. Course load is 2/2 plus direction of at least four thesis students each year. Reading of admission portfolios required every January."
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AboveTheLaw.com seeks a "Morning Docket" blogger. Pays: "modest monthly stipend."
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The Chronicle of Higher Education is looking for a European correspondent. "We are looking for someone who has lived in Europe for several years, speaks a second language, and has a minimum of five years' reporting experience. Our correspondents also must have the curiosity and experience needed to develop a wide network of sources and look beyond daily news headlines for story ideas. A background in science and technology reporting is a plus. The Chronicle is an independently owned newspaper based in Washington, D.C. It is widely read by college and university administrators, faculty members, graduate students, policymakers, and journalists. The new Global Edition is part of a broad effort to deepen our readership outside of the United States. Our international correspondents receive a monthly retainer and payment by the word."
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Georgetown University (D.C.) seeks a Senior Writer/Editor, the University of Nevada-Reno is looking for an Assistant Writer/Writer, and Stevens Institute of Technology (N.J.) seeks a Staff Writer.
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I'm busy putting the finishing touches on the August Practicing Writer newsletter, which will go out to subscribers at the end of this week. If you're not yet a subscriber, please join us (it's free, and your e-mail address will be kept private). Also, don't forget that our free paying-market e-books for essayists and book reviewers will be retired on August 1--you still have the week to download your copies.

Friday Find: Sarah Manguso's Thirteen Sieves

You know how just the other day I alluded just the other day to my friend Deonne Kahler's recent participation in the Taos Summer Writers' Conference? Well, DK is now sharing revision tips that she gleaned directly from her workshop leader, Sarah Manguso (apparently, Ms. Manguso calls them "The Thirteen Sieves").

DK will be sharing one tip per post. She began yesterday with this one. And it's good.

Follow along, won't you? I know that I will!

Have a great weekend, and see you back here on Monday!

Thursday's Pre-Publication Post: Behind the Screens

Thanks so much to all of you who took the time to comment last week when I presented the cover of my forthcoming story collection, Quiet Americans. I'm so glad that you agree with me: The cover designer has done an wonderful job.

Since last week, lots of behind-the-scenes (or, should I say, behind-the-screens) work has been taking place to build up my brand-new website. I've mentioned before that the impending book publication has motivated me to try to consolidate my various online locations/projects/identities. A couple of days ago, the talented web designer I'm working with unveiled a mockup of the homepage. All I'll reveal for now is this: If you like the book cover, you'll love the homepage!

The cover is also appearing on the Facebook page I've just created to help share information about the book (and hold contests/giveaways). I hope that you'll "like" that page, too--in all respects! (But please forgive me in advance if I keep my personal Facebook goings-on more or less limited to family members and those of you I've met/worked with/studied with/etc. in "real life." For now, at least.)

Thanks again for the enthusiasm about the cover. It really means a lot to me!

The Wednesday Web Browser

Back when I was helping newbie book reviewers build up a reviewing practice, we'd spend a chunk of time discussing how to obtain review copies. A recent "tweet" from Algonquin Books makes the process simple: "Book bloggers: If you ever want to request an Algonquin review copy, email me: michael(at)algonquin(dot)com. Easy peasy." Meantime, Harper Perennial is inviting book bloggers to join its email list for reviewers.
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This week on the Dollars and Deadlines blog: veteran freelancer Kelly James-Enger critiques queries. Really interesting and useful.
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It hasn't been a terribly uplifting time in the litmag world lately: Mississippi Review's future is unclear. Brevity considers charging a submission fee. And The Paris Review has begun "unaccepting" some poems.
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My friend Deonne Kahler (a.k.a. "DK") just spent a week at the Taos Summer Writers Conference (an event I've also been lucky enough to attend). DK got to work with Sarah Manguso in a memoir master class. And she was generous enough to tell the rest of us about it here and here.
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I love this guest post by Diane Lockward (on Meg Waite Clayton's 1st Books blog) about her (Diane's) evolution toward published-poethood.

Quotation of the Week: Robert Frost

"No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader."

~Robert Frost

via Heidi Mannan

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

From Vagabondage Press: "We are currently open to submissions of novella length fiction for stand-alone publication in digital form, with possible consideration for print publication. Vagabondage Press accepts queries all year round for novella and novel length work and only accepts queries by email. We are currently seeking well-written literary fiction of 15,000 to 50,000 words that explores the human experience. We hope to provide a safe space for authors who've gone underappreciated because the industry has led them to believe that they don't fit a particular format. We hold no editorial bias in regards to stories for or about individuals of any race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or planet of origin." Pays: royalties.
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From Creative Nonfiction: "Creative Nonfiction is looking for new work by MFA students for publication in an upcoming issue. The winner and four finalists will be invited to read during the 2011 AWP Conference in Washington, DC (February 2-5, 2011)." CNF "typically" pays $10/printed page. Deadline: November 5, 2010.
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Guidelines for the annual Helen Schaible International Shakespearean/Petrarchan Sonnet Contest are now available. Prizes: $50/$35/$15. No entry fee. Deadline: September 1, 2010.
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Attention, freelancers: WritersWeekly.com ran an article on paying education markets last week. (Kind of reminded me of another article on the same topic that ran once upon a time.)
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From mediabistro.com (click here to access complete announcement):"mb LEARN is looking for a dynamic, spirited instructor to teach our Intro to Social Media class in New York starting in September. This class meets for 4 weeks and will teach students how to use social media tools to expand and improve their professional life. Topics include social media and web 2.0, blogs, wikis, podcasts, RSS feeds, viral video, social bookmarking, social media news releases, and other emerging web technologies. By the end of class, students will have an established presence on one or more social networks, expanded exposure on existing networks, and a solid understanding of how to best use social media."
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Gettysburg College (Pa.) seeks an Assistant Director of Communications, Wesleyan University (Conn.) is looking for an Editor/New Media Writer, and Stanford University's Graduate School of Business (Calif.) is looking for a Philanthropy Case Writer (one-year appointment).

Friday Find: Diane Lockward's Thoughts On Poetry Book Contests

Diane Lockward has been on both sides of the poetry book contest fence. She has entered many, and she has recently served as a first judge for one. In this post, she shares a number of useful recommendations for contest entrants. Since I'm slowly building up my own poetry practice (and I mean s-l-o-w-l-y), I'll keep her advice in mind for the long haul. Some of you may be able to apply it sooner!

(Side/related note: Last week, I saw one of my poems, "Pünktlichkeit," in print in the July-August 2010issue of Moment Magazine. Definitely one of the highlights of my writing life to date. The poem is not currently available online, but I'm pretty sure that when I do have a poetry book manuscript in order, this poem will be part of it. Hat tip to the fabulous Sage Cohen--it was through my work with Sage in her Poetry for the People II class last winter that the poem was born.)

Have a great weekend, everyone, and see you back here on Monday.

Thursday's Pre-Publication Post: Uncovering the Cover

I am proud to present to you:


I hope that you all like the cover! I sure do!

The Wednesday Web Browser

If you've spent any time in the writerly Twitterverse in the past 24 hours or so, you've probably seen multiple mentions of I Write Like..., which will "analyze" a sample of your writing and tell you which famous writer you write like. Kinda fun (even if I don't really believe that my writing resembles the work of Stephen King or H.P. Lovecraft, and even if it seems odd that so few [any?] female authors' names are turning up). (UPDATE, 7/18: READ THIS--seems we've all fallen for a con.)
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Additional notes on grammar, usage, and style, courtesy of After Deadline.
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Just posted this week on the Fiction Writers Review site: my review of Jacob Paul's debut novel, Sarah/Sara. (Those of you who thought that this post was interesting should definitely take a look.)
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Last week's compilation of Jewish literary links draws from the Association of Jewish Libraries, The Boston Bibliophile, Tablet magazine, the Forward's "Arty Semite" blog, and more.
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Looking for some writing prompts? Sign up to receive a prompt each day through August from Lisa Romeo (I have).

Quotation of the Week: Elizabeth Hardwick

Since I often sense that I'm plot-challenged (and I was a fan of certain nighttime "soaps" back in the day), I loved this quotation, which I found via Twitter last week.

"If I want a plot I'll watch 'Dallas.'"

- Elizabeth Hardwick (interviewed in 1985)

Source: The Paris Review

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

From White Pine Press: "The Marie Alexander Poetry Series has an open submission period during the month of July. An award of $500 and publication will be given for a chosen collection of prose poems by an American poet. Submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages, which can include some lineated pieces, along with a cover letter with complete contact information and an SASE for notification only. Postmark must be between July 1 and 31. Entries should also include a simultaneous electronic submission of the manuscript (MS Word or PDF format)." There is no entry fee.
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Interesting opportunity for Edinburgh-based writers: "We are looking for new, emerging writers to read their work as part of Story Shop at the Edinburgh International Book Festival this August. Story Shop is a free, un-ticketed event produced by the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust and takes place in the Book Festival’s Bookshop. It is a showcase for new writing and new writers from Edinburgh. Each day features one author, giving them a ten minute slot to read either two 4-5 minute ‘flash fiction’ pieces or one 8-10 minute piece of fiction. The idea is to give a free taste of new writing to a new audience." NB: "Applications from newly published writers are particularly welcome (published meaning some form of peer reviewed publication – anthology, literary magazine, newspaper, novel or short story collection) and we are looking for fiction targeted at an adult audience." There is no application fee. Deadline is midday (presumably Edinburgh time) on Fri., July 16. Pays: "Each author featured will receive a small appearance fee and a one-day author pass to the Book Festival’s green room, the ‘yurt.’ Their event and author biography will feature on the City of Literature Trust website and Story Shop is promoted via the Book Festival programme, in the Bookshop tent and via the Book Festival entrance tent screens. Our press staff will also send out a press release to all relevant media with information about the writers who will be reading."
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In case you haven't seen it, our July Practicing Writer newsletter is now available as a reprint at freelancewriting.com. It went out to subscribers at the end of June, but it's not too late to take advantange of the many no-fee competitions and submission alerts for paying publications that are listed there. (Of course, if you subscribe on your own, you'll get each free newsletter delivered directly to you via e-mail.)
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Similarly, if you haven't yet downloaded your free copies of our guides to paying markets for essayists and for book reviewers, you can still do so. (But you have only until August 1.)
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Franklin and Marshall College (Pa.) is looking for a Campaign Writer, Harvard University (Mass.) seeks a Stewardship Writer, and Radford University (Va.) is looking for a Web Content Editor.

Friday Finds: Tech Tutorials

This week brought two helpful resources to my tech-challenged self.

First, I present David Pogue's New York Times article, "For Those Facebook Left Behind." Some people will surely find it too "basic," but the article does provide a useful, simple overview of major social-networking sites. "You may find absolutely nothing of value to you in these sites," Pogue writes, "and that’s fine. But isn’t it better to make that decision now that you know what you’re ignoring?"

Second, Jane Friedman has assembled a lengthy blog post titled "Ultimate iPhone Apps for Writers: 30+ Productivity & Creativity Boosts." As I mentioned in our latest newsletter, I finally jumped aboard the iPhone bandwagon last winter. I'm still getting to know the "apps" that are out there, and this post is one I've bookmarked for future reference.

Have a great weekend, folks. (Oh, and in case any of you are envying me the temporary "summer Friday" freedom from the office job I also referenced in the latest newsletter, envy me not: Since we had Monday off for the Independence Day holiday, everyone in my office is expected in today.)

Thursday's Pre-Publication Post: Giving Thanks

This week's post will be relatively short and sweet. The crux of the message is simple: THANK YOU!

You have all been wonderfully receptive and supportive since I began tracking the pre-publication life of my story collection, Quiet Americans, earlier this year. You've read these posts. You've commented. You've opined.

I'm so grateful for all of that. I'm also grateful to those of you who have taken the time to send me messages privately. Some of you have written incredibly comprehensive messages packed with advice from your own experience and expertise. And since I've sometimes been on the giving end of the advice spectrum, I know how much time that can take. So here's a special, public thank-you to you (and what really amazes and humbles me is that among you are both people I know in "real-life" and practicing writers I didn't even know read this blog until I received their messages).

Whether you've offered me sage advice, the names of contacts for potential reviews or readings, or, in one case plucked from this week's correspondence, an actual venue where I can sign copies of Quiet Americans next year, your generosity means more to me than you can imagine. So I'll say it one last time (for now): THANK YOU.

The Wednesday Web Browser

Honestly, sometimes these lists of imminent book releases overwhelm me. I already have a huge list of titles tbr. Now I have to add more! See what the latest batch of "Most Anticipated Summer Reading 2010 and Beyond", courtesy of The Millions, adds for you!
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Win a free spot in Linda Formichelli's Write for Magazines e-course.
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In case you missed the announcement late last week, W.S. Merwin is the new U.S. Poet Laureate.
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A columnist for The New York Times's Opinionator blog describes how she puts her columns together--and where she finds her ideas.
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My latest batch of Jewish literary links collects snippets by or about Michael Chabon, Allison Amend, Gary Shteyngart, Shalom Auslander, and Allegra Goodman.

Quotation of the Week: E.B. White

A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.

--E.B. White

Source: @AdvicetoWriters

This one should be taped above my computers at work AND home!

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

The Birdsong Micropress Winter 2010 Poetry & Prose Contest will award prizes (one in each category) of $50, publication in Birdsong #14, 10 complimentary copies of the zine, and a featured spot in the organization's Brooklyn reading series in mid-December. Submit by October 10, 2010. No entry fee. (via Poets & Writers)
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New policies for unsolicited submissions to Tin House Books and Tin House magazine have been announced. I've posted the text of the press release here.
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NoTreeBooks invites submissions of dialogue-driven short stories for three themed e-anthologies: (1) vampires, ghosts, zombies, and other "creature stories"; (2) contemporary cowboy romance stories; and (3) "sleeping with exes," stories "about couples who break up but still have a relationship." There are lots of details available at the website. Submissions are open until all anthologies are filled. Pays: $50-$100 to each anthology contributor-author, on publication, plus possible royalties.
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Graphic fiction competition for those living in the U.K./Republic of Ireland: The Observer/Jonathan Cape/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize will award a first prize of £1,000 and publication in The Observer Review. The runner-up will receive £250, with publication on www.guardian.co.uk and the Vintage website. There is no entry fee. Deadline: October 6, 2010.
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Pilot Books Micro-Residencies (Summer 2010): "Introducing an experimental micro-residency program for writers who want to work and write chez Pilot Books. Each receives a stipend, access to brainfulls of reading material, and hours of writing time punctuated by light literary conversation and the occasional sales transaction. Pilot Books will then publish the author-resident’s new poetry, prose, fiction, or comics in a limited edition chapbook series, 'FINANCIALS.' One-day ($80) and two-day ($160) residencies are available: July 2, July 4, July 10-11, July 18, July 24-25, August 7-8, August 21-22, August 28, September 4-5." For more details/application info, visit HTMLGIANT. No application fee. Apply fast!
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Saint Louis University (Mo.) seeks a Writer, Columbia Business School (N.Y.) is looking for a Writer, and the Stanford School of Education seeks a Writer/PR Director (see job #38382).

Friday Find: SlushPile Hell

"SlushPile Hell" is a new blog that's been receiving a number of mentions around the Internet lately. Subtitled "a grumpy literary agent wades through query fails," the blog presents a daily snippet of a query--complete with the grumpy agent's acerbic online riposte. Good for a daily laugh (and warning!).

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone, and for all of the American practicing writers out there, Happy July 4th!

This Just In: Tin House Launches Buy A Book, Save A Bookstore

Just received this press release from Tin House Books (keep reading--there's relevance for the magazine, too).

PORTLAND, OREGON (JUNE 30, 2010) ⎯ In the spirit of discovering new talent as well as supporting established authors and the bookstores who support them, Tin House Books will accept unsolicited manuscripts dated between August 1 and November 30, 2010, as long as each submission is accompanied by a receipt for a book from a bookstore. Tin House magazine will require the same for unsolicited submissions sent between September 1 and December 30, 2010.

Writers who cannot afford to buy a book or cannot get to an actual bookstore are encouraged to explain why in haiku or one sentence (100 words or fewer). Tin House Books and Tin House magazine will consider the purchase of e-books as a substitute only if the writer explains: why he or she cannot go to his or her neighborhood bookstore, why he or she prefers digital reads, what device, and why.

Writers are invited to videotape, film, paint, photograph, animate, twitter, or memorialize in any way (that is logical and/or decipherable) the process of stepping into a bookstore and buying a book to send along for our possible amusement and/or use on our Web site.

Tin House Books will not accept electronic submissions. Tin House magazine will accept manuscripts by mail or digitally. The magazine will accept scans of bookstore receipts.

ALL MANUSCRIPTS WITHOUT RECEIPT OR EXPLANATION
WILL BE RETURNED UNREAD IN SASE.

Please send manuscripts to

Save a Book
Tin House Books
2617 NW Thurman St.
Portland OR 97210

Save a Book
Tin House Magazine
P.O. Box 10500
Portland, OR 97210

Thursday's Pre-Publication Post: "Real-Life" Characters in Fiction

One of my favorite themes in writing-about-writing resurfaced this week: real-life characters in fiction. A big thank you goes to the Hayden's Ferry Review blog for leading me to Meg Rosoff's blog post for the Guardian's Books Blog, "Tackling real-life characters in fiction is fine - as long as you do it well."

Most of the writing on creating fictional characters from real-life personages focuses on recognizable people: historical figures, celebrities, and so on. (The tour guide who appears in my story "The Quiet American, Or How to Be a Good Guest," may well be based on an actual tour guide, but I did not give too much thought to the implications of creating a fictional döppelganger in that case.) And it's this traditional emphasis that continues in the Guardian post as well.

If that focus isn't necessarily relevant in the context of the tour guide character, it's much more applicable when viewed in the context of some other stories in Quiet Americans. "For Services Rendered," which opens the book, includes as key characters Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring and his second wife, Emmy. (For some background on what inspired this story, and the research that went into it, you can read the essay I wrote for the Scribblers on the Roof website awhile back.)

"Real-life characters" (not to mention events) appear elsewhere in Quiet Americans. For instance, Golda Meir makes a cameo in a story titled "Homecomings." (Admittedly, one of the MFA classmates who critiqued an early version thought I'd invented Mrs. Meir. But the first female prime minister of Israel was, in fact, a "real-life" person.)

And anyone who reads "Floating" and recalls the brouhaha concerning a certain state poet laureate and a 9/11 poem will be able to identify the real-life inspiration behind a certain sub-plot, even without the use of the poet's name. I'm still not certain why I chose not to name the poet in that story. One may be this major difference between the other characters and the poet: The poet is still alive.

As I continued to think about my stories this week in the context of the Guardian article, I realized something else: In a way that's quite different from the situation with "For Services Rendered," where everything that Hermann and Emmy Göring say and do has major repercussions on the rest of the story, the real-life characters within "Homecomings" and "Floating" are minor players, presences that help illuminate aspects other, major characters and events in each piece.

Or at least, that's what I think. Come January, we'll see if you agree.