Advice for freelancers from Linda Formichelli: "Diversifying is good to a point, but you shouldn’t just add new products and services willy-nilly."
Amusing (and, based on my admittedly limited and long-ago experience, true!) take from Writer Abroad on being "Ameropean."
Monday night I finished reading Allegra Goodman's aforementioned new novel, The Cookbook Collector. A wonderful read! As I wrote in a note to the author, it's such a smart book, while being unassuming. That is to say, it's about as far from "in-your-face" with its own smartness as it can possibly be. I highly recommend it!
Over on my other blog, last week's Shabbat link list of Jewish literary news was especially extensive. If you're interested, please do check it out.
Showing posts with label Resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resources. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
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)
Monday, July 26, 2010
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.
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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, July 23, 2010
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!
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!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
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).
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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).
Monday, July 12, 2010
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.
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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."
==========
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, July 09, 2010
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.)
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.)
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday Find: Free Guides to Paying Markets
As some of you may remember, in my former (freelancing) life, I offered a slew of writing-related e-books for sale. As the years passed--and as I transitioned into a full-time staff job--I didn't have sufficient time to update each e-book as frequently as I wanted. Other reasons prompted me to bid farewell to those guides: The guides to paying fiction and poetry markets, for instance, seemed less relevant once Duotrope became such an established and vital (and free) site. So, over time, I retired several of the guides, making each of them available at no charge for a period of time before sending them to the great virtual beyond.Ultimately, I was maintaining (and updating, twice each year) two guides. One provides a directory of paying markets for book reviewers, and the other one lists dozens of paying markets for essayists. The most recent updates for both guides were completed last December.
The time is coming to say good-bye to updating--and selling--these two guides, too. But before they disappear from view (which will happen on August 1, 2010), I want to give you all the opportunity to access them (free of charge). They're still available on the site that has handled the sales from the start: I warn you that you may need to jump through some hoops to access them (you may need a free account on that site, for instance). If you have any trouble, please contact the help staff at the site. I simply have no ability to fix any technical problems you may encounter there.
But let's be optimistic! Let's hope that you can access whichever book you want (or both, if that's the case), and that the markets I've researched and updated over the years bring you--and your writing practice--much success!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities
Hurry up if you want to try for the 2010 Frieze Writer's Prize. Aimed to promote and encourage new art critics, the competition invites writers "to submit an unpublished 700-word review in English of a recent contemporary art exhibition. Applicants must be over 18 years old and must not have had more than three pieces of writing on art published in a newspaper or magazine." There is no entry fee. Deadline: June 25, 2010. "The winner will be awarded £2,000 and commissioned to write a review for the October issue of frieze."
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Glamour magazine's "My Real-Life Story Essay Contest": "If you have an inspiring story about a life changing event, an obstacle overcome, a relationship of passion that's defined you - then we want to read it! You may see your essay appear in an upcoming issue of Glamour...and you could win $5000 and a meeting with a top literary agent." For legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia. No entry fee. Deadline: September 15, 2010.
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Last week's WritersWeekly.com featured an article on breaking into environmental markets, complete with sample market listings.
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New from Poets & Writers: an online Literary Agents Database.
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Arts blogger(s?) sought: "KQED Arts is an online arts magazine serving and reflecting the thriving arts scene of the San Francisco Bay Area. The site provides daily local and national arts coverage; brings together all of KQED's on-air arts programming; and is incubator to the station's online originals. KQED’s daily arts blog covers music, film, performance, multimedia and visual arts in the Bay Area. KQED, located right in the heart of the Mission in San Francisco, is aiming to take our Arts coverage to the next level and is looking for smart, talented, versatile writers to help us achieve that. Writers are expected to specialize in a particular medium or community, but are free to follow their own interests, pitching ideas once a month. Each writer contributes roughly twice a month. Generous bylines, dedicated author biography pages and a modest stipend are just some of the rewards."
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Texas State University-San Marcos seeks a Publications Writer, James Madison University (Va.) is looking for a Magazine Editor and Writer, and Arapahoe Community College (Colo.) seeks a College Communications Coordinator.
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Glamour magazine's "My Real-Life Story Essay Contest": "If you have an inspiring story about a life changing event, an obstacle overcome, a relationship of passion that's defined you - then we want to read it! You may see your essay appear in an upcoming issue of Glamour...and you could win $5000 and a meeting with a top literary agent." For legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia. No entry fee. Deadline: September 15, 2010.
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Last week's WritersWeekly.com featured an article on breaking into environmental markets, complete with sample market listings.
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New from Poets & Writers: an online Literary Agents Database.
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Arts blogger(s?) sought: "KQED Arts is an online arts magazine serving and reflecting the thriving arts scene of the San Francisco Bay Area. The site provides daily local and national arts coverage; brings together all of KQED's on-air arts programming; and is incubator to the station's online originals. KQED’s daily arts blog covers music, film, performance, multimedia and visual arts in the Bay Area. KQED, located right in the heart of the Mission in San Francisco, is aiming to take our Arts coverage to the next level and is looking for smart, talented, versatile writers to help us achieve that. Writers are expected to specialize in a particular medium or community, but are free to follow their own interests, pitching ideas once a month. Each writer contributes roughly twice a month. Generous bylines, dedicated author biography pages and a modest stipend are just some of the rewards."
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Texas State University-San Marcos seeks a Publications Writer, James Madison University (Va.) is looking for a Magazine Editor and Writer, and Arapahoe Community College (Colo.) seeks a College Communications Coordinator.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Friday Find: The Poetry Foundation's iPhone App
Yesterday afternoon I left work early for the semiannual fun-filled dental checkup. The bad news (this time) is that I have the beginnings of a cavity that "we'll watch" for the next several months. Oh, and I should give some serious thought to adult braces for my lower teeth (I thought all of that was taken care of with six years of orthodontia way back when).
But the good news is that while I was in the waiting room I finally downloaded the new (and free) Poetry Foundation poetry app. I have to say that it is a vast improvement over the "Poem Flow" app I paid for awhile back. "Poem Flow" ended up giving me a single poem each day—usually the same poem I was already receiving for free from the Academy of American Poets. The Poetry Foundation app, on the other hand, gives you access to so many poems, neatly organized by topic (or to suit your mood). Thumbs up for the Poetry Foundation's app!
Wishing you all a great weekend. See you back here on Monday!
But the good news is that while I was in the waiting room I finally downloaded the new (and free) Poetry Foundation poetry app. I have to say that it is a vast improvement over the "Poem Flow" app I paid for awhile back. "Poem Flow" ended up giving me a single poem each day—usually the same poem I was already receiving for free from the Academy of American Poets. The Poetry Foundation app, on the other hand, gives you access to so many poems, neatly organized by topic (or to suit your mood). Thumbs up for the Poetry Foundation's app!
Wishing you all a great weekend. See you back here on Monday!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Friday Find: The Library of America's Story of the Week
Want to download some free reading for the weekend? Consider "Business Deal," a fairly brief short story by Nathanael West (1903-40) set in a bygone era of screenwriting and movie-making, which the Library of America has made available from Nathanael West: Novels and Other Writings.
Or check out any of the other offerings in the Library of America's Story of the Week site/archive.
(For more background on the West story, check Carolyn Kellogg's Jacket Copy post, through which I discovered this find and the accompanying archive.)
Have a great weekend, everyone. See you back here on Monday.
Or check out any of the other offerings in the Library of America's Story of the Week site/archive.
(For more background on the West story, check Carolyn Kellogg's Jacket Copy post, through which I discovered this find and the accompanying archive.)
Have a great weekend, everyone. See you back here on Monday.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Friday Find: YOUR Reading Recommendations
As part of our Short Story Month Collection Giveaway Project, many of you were kind enough to share, in the main giveaway post's comments, the titles of collections you've loved and/or are looking forward to reading. Now, following the sage example of the folks at the Fiction Writers Review site, I've decided to compile those recommendations so that we can all appreciate them one more time, in one lovely list. I hope I haven't missed anyone or make any mistakes (please correct me if I have).
Thanks again. You practicing writers are awesome! What a resource this list is (especially for anyone seeking summer reading suggestions).
Thanks again. You practicing writers are awesome! What a resource this list is (especially for anyone seeking summer reading suggestions).
Kathi Appelt, Kissing Tennessee
Poe Ballantine, Things I Like About America (Erika's note: I'm not entirely certain this is a book of fiction, but I've enjoyed Ballantine's work in The Sun, so, we'll keep it!)
Kevin Barry, There Are Little Kingdoms
Charles Baxter, Through the Safety Net
Jorge Luis Borges, Fictions
T.C. Boyle, Wild Child and Other Stories
Kevin Brockmeier, Things That Fall from the Sky
Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities
Raymond Carver, Cathedral
Julio Cortazar, All Fires the Fire
Phillip F. Deaver, Silent Retreats
Charles D'Ambrosio, The Point
Edwidge Danticat, Krik? Krak!
Anthony Doerr, The Shell Collector
Howard Goldowsky (ed.), Masters of Technique: The Mongoose Anthology of Chess Fiction
Richard Ford, A Multitude of Sins
Richard Ford, Rock Springs
Ben Fountain, Brief Encounters with Che Guevara
Petina Gappah, An Elegy for Easterly: Stories
Lisa Glatt, The Apple's Bruise
Allegra Goodman, The Family Markowitz
R.W. Gray, Crisp
Amy Hempel, Collected Stories
Jhumpa Lahiri, Unaccustomed Earth
Kelly Link, Stranger Things Happen
Lydia Millet, Love in Infant Monkeys
Alice Munro, ("Anything")
Joyce Carol Oates, Faithless: Tales of Transgression
Flannery O'Connor, Everything That Rises Must Converge
Mary Otis, Yes, Yes, Cherries!
ZZ Packer, Drinking Coffee Elsewhere
Lydia Peelle, Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing
Benjamin Percy, Refresh, Refresh
Laura Pritchett, Hell's Bottom, Colorado
Annie Proulx, Fine Just the Way It Is
Eric Puchner, Music Through the Floor
J.D. Salinger, Nine Stories
George Saunders, Pastoralia
Lore Segal, Shakespeare's Kitchen
Sam Shepard, Day Out of Days
Lara Vapnyar, Broccoli and Other Tales of Food and Love
Patricia Volk, All It Takes
Hannah Tinti, Animal Crackers
Wells Tower, Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned
David Foster Wallace, Brief Interviews with Hideous Men
Eudora Welty, The Golden Apples
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities
This Monday's post will be relatively brief, since I'm busy polishing the June Practicing Writer newsletter, which will go out on Friday, before Memorial Day weekend here in the U.S. If you're not yet a subscriber, join us! It's free, and we do not share/sell/distribute your e-mail address.
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Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf opportunity for Wisconsin poets: "Woodrow Hall Editions is accepting proposals from Wisconsin poets for a project that presents poetry to the public in an unexpected or unconventional manner. An award of $500.00 will be given to help him or her implement the project. In addition, an award of $250.00 will be given to a runner-up for the same purpose. A panel of judges will make the selections. See past Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf projects for examples of the kinds of ideas the panel will be looking for. The winners must initiate their projects in summer or fall 2010. No entry fee. Multiple entries from same poet welcome." Deadline: June 1, 2010.
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Next submission deadline for Nashville Review is June 1. Check the site for guidelines and pay rates.
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From Creative Nonfiction: "For an upcoming issue, we are currently seeking experimental nonfiction for our 'Pushing the Boundaries' section ('experimental,' 'boundaries,' yes, these can be loaded terms). We want writing that blows our minds with its ingenuity, essays that not only push the boundaries of the form, but tear down the borders. Be ambitious and send us work like we've never seen before." Send by June 4. "We typically pay $10 per printed page."
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The Guide to Literary Agents blog introduces us to Sarah LaPolla, a new who works at Curtis Brown and is seeking "literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, science fiction, literary horror, and young adult fiction. She loves complex characters, coming-of-age stories, and strong narrators."
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Stanford University's Graduate School of Business is looking for Bay Area residents to work as writing coaches.
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Stanford University (Calif.) is looking for a Copy Editor (appears to be a half-time position), Northern Kentucky University seeks a Director of Alumni Publications & Special Projects, and the New Hampshire Writers' Project is looking for an Executive Director.
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Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf opportunity for Wisconsin poets: "Woodrow Hall Editions is accepting proposals from Wisconsin poets for a project that presents poetry to the public in an unexpected or unconventional manner. An award of $500.00 will be given to help him or her implement the project. In addition, an award of $250.00 will be given to a runner-up for the same purpose. A panel of judges will make the selections. See past Poetry Jumps Off the Shelf projects for examples of the kinds of ideas the panel will be looking for. The winners must initiate their projects in summer or fall 2010. No entry fee. Multiple entries from same poet welcome." Deadline: June 1, 2010.
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Next submission deadline for Nashville Review is June 1. Check the site for guidelines and pay rates.
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From Creative Nonfiction: "For an upcoming issue, we are currently seeking experimental nonfiction for our 'Pushing the Boundaries' section ('experimental,' 'boundaries,' yes, these can be loaded terms). We want writing that blows our minds with its ingenuity, essays that not only push the boundaries of the form, but tear down the borders. Be ambitious and send us work like we've never seen before." Send by June 4. "We typically pay $10 per printed page."
==========
The Guide to Literary Agents blog introduces us to Sarah LaPolla, a new who works at Curtis Brown and is seeking "literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, science fiction, literary horror, and young adult fiction. She loves complex characters, coming-of-age stories, and strong narrators."
==========
Stanford University's Graduate School of Business is looking for Bay Area residents to work as writing coaches.
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Stanford University (Calif.) is looking for a Copy Editor (appears to be a half-time position), Northern Kentucky University seeks a Director of Alumni Publications & Special Projects, and the New Hampshire Writers' Project is looking for an Executive Director.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Friday Find: Author Radio Interview Tips
I've only been interviewed on the radio once--so far--so I was interested to see these author radio interview tips on The Book Publicity Blog.
Have a great weekend, all. (And if you haven't yet signed up to win one of the short story collections I'm offering to buy and send you, please do so! If you want to host a giveaway of your own as part of a Short Story Month celebration, even better!) See you back here on Monday.
Have a great weekend, all. (And if you haven't yet signed up to win one of the short story collections I'm offering to buy and send you, please do so! If you want to host a giveaway of your own as part of a Short Story Month celebration, even better!) See you back here on Monday.
Friday, May 07, 2010
Friday Find: Dispatch from Iowa City, A Guest Post by Ronald H. Lands, M.D., M.F.A.
Ron Lands has to be one of the most impressive (and modest) people I met in my M.F.A. program. So when I learned that Ron - who earned an M.D. well before he tackled the M.F.A. - was attending a two-day event on "The Examined Life: Writing and the Art of Medicine" at the University of Iowa's Carver College at April's end, I was eager to request a guest post. Ever generous, Ron agreed. Here's his dispatch from the conference (you can learn more about this event, and check out the online archive, here).
“The Examined Life: Writing and the Art of Medicine"
University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine
April 28-April 30, 2010
by Ron Lands
Medicine and literature often share the same topics; life and death, suffering and loss and everything in between. As they have every year since 2006, medical students, physicians, nurses, patients, and caregivers convened in a city known for its great writers, to collaborate regarding the power of writing in making sense of these grand themes and to demonstrate that the practice of medicine is an interpretive work.
A cardiologist put a human face on illness by blending his profession with his hobbies, interpreting the patient’s heart pathology by ultrasound then photographing the person in their home and writing poetry about the experience. An English professor wrote a play based on her personal experience with cancer and an actor interpreted and performed this dramatic work. Academicians shared tools and techniques to empower other educators to exploit the power of writing to cause reflection and nurture empathy in their students. Researchers presented data hoping to identify a physiologic link between writing and stress reduction in caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. A literary scholar turned physician offered a powerful examination of metaphor in the language of pain. A leukemia patient and her hematologist shared their five-year journey from diagnosis to a durable and sustained remission, using essay, memoir and colored pencil sketches drawn during the trauma of her bone marrow transplant.
Flannery O’Connor, one of many great writers associated with Iowa City through the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, said, “I write to find out what I know.” “The Examined Life: Writing and the Art of Medicine,” further demonstrates the clarifying effect that reading, writing and reflection can bring to the chaos of illness for those who suffer and those who witness the suffering.
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Ronald H. Lands teaches in the Department of Medicine at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus, where he practices and teaches Internal Medicine, Hematology and Palliative Care. His fiction has appeared in New Millennium Writings, descant, Washington Square, and many others. He has published essays from the intersection of writing and medicine in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Annals of Internal Medicine, Journal of the American Geriatric Society, and the Journal of Palliative Medicine. His work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
“The Examined Life: Writing and the Art of Medicine"
University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine
April 28-April 30, 2010
by Ron Lands
Medicine and literature often share the same topics; life and death, suffering and loss and everything in between. As they have every year since 2006, medical students, physicians, nurses, patients, and caregivers convened in a city known for its great writers, to collaborate regarding the power of writing in making sense of these grand themes and to demonstrate that the practice of medicine is an interpretive work.
A cardiologist put a human face on illness by blending his profession with his hobbies, interpreting the patient’s heart pathology by ultrasound then photographing the person in their home and writing poetry about the experience. An English professor wrote a play based on her personal experience with cancer and an actor interpreted and performed this dramatic work. Academicians shared tools and techniques to empower other educators to exploit the power of writing to cause reflection and nurture empathy in their students. Researchers presented data hoping to identify a physiologic link between writing and stress reduction in caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. A literary scholar turned physician offered a powerful examination of metaphor in the language of pain. A leukemia patient and her hematologist shared their five-year journey from diagnosis to a durable and sustained remission, using essay, memoir and colored pencil sketches drawn during the trauma of her bone marrow transplant.
Flannery O’Connor, one of many great writers associated with Iowa City through the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, said, “I write to find out what I know.” “The Examined Life: Writing and the Art of Medicine,” further demonstrates the clarifying effect that reading, writing and reflection can bring to the chaos of illness for those who suffer and those who witness the suffering.
==========
Ronald H. Lands teaches in the Department of Medicine at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus, where he practices and teaches Internal Medicine, Hematology and Palliative Care. His fiction has appeared in New Millennium Writings, descant, Washington Square, and many others. He has published essays from the intersection of writing and medicine in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Annals of Internal Medicine, Journal of the American Geriatric Society, and the Journal of Palliative Medicine. His work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday Find: 92nd Street Y Virtual Poetry Center
Let me tell you, it's tough enough for us New Yorkers to manage to attend even a fraction of the literary events in NYC. And we live here! Obviously, it's much harder when you live elsewhere.
That's why all of us should be grateful to this Virtual Poetry Center from the 92nd Street Y:
"In a renewed effort to share with a wider contemporary audience some of the great literary moments which the Poetry Center has presented across the decades, this page (to be regularly updated) features archival recordings by some of the best writers of our time."
Caution: Some programs are available only in excerpted form. Still, the chance to watch/hear from Chinua Achebe, David Grossman, Cynthia Ozick, Frank McCourt, and so many other literary luminaries (poets and prose writers) is a sheer gift.
Have a great weekend, all. See you back here on Monday!
(cross-referenced as the "featured resource" in the May issue of The Practicing Writer, which will go out to subscribers today.)
That's why all of us should be grateful to this Virtual Poetry Center from the 92nd Street Y:
"In a renewed effort to share with a wider contemporary audience some of the great literary moments which the Poetry Center has presented across the decades, this page (to be regularly updated) features archival recordings by some of the best writers of our time."
Caution: Some programs are available only in excerpted form. Still, the chance to watch/hear from Chinua Achebe, David Grossman, Cynthia Ozick, Frank McCourt, and so many other literary luminaries (poets and prose writers) is a sheer gift.
Have a great weekend, all. See you back here on Monday!
(cross-referenced as the "featured resource" in the May issue of The Practicing Writer, which will go out to subscribers today.)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Friday Find: 10 Questions to Ask an Agent Before You Sign
As Guide to Literary Agents blog contributor Felice Prager astutely notes, "Authors are often so excited about finding representation that they sign an agreement without knowing if the agent is an ideal match. In addition to agreement-specific issues regarding money and terms, there are other questions you should ask before you sign anything." Here are Prager's 10 such questions. I sure wish that I'd seen them before I signed with my first agent, a perfectly nice person but, as it turned out, "not quite right" for me.
Enjoy, and have a great weekend. See you back here on Monday!
Enjoy, and have a great weekend. See you back here on Monday!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Friday Find: Guide to Pronouncing Writers' Names
I loved this post by Fiction Writers Review Editor-in-Chief Anne Stameshkin, linking to a most useful resource: a guide to pronouncing writers' names. No longer must you wonder how to say "Michael Chabon" or "J.M. Coetzee"--or be (even unwittingly) embarrassed by your mispronunciations.
I've blogged before about the misspellings my name seems to inspire in print/online, but you might be surprised by the mispronunciations. Usually, it's just my surname that causes problems: "DRAY-fus" or "DREE-fus" instead of "DRY-fus." More astonishing, to me at least, is that sometimes a not-so-mellifluous "Eh-REEK-ah" precedes some version of the last name. Um, no. (I'll just add that when a "DRAY-FOOS" [variable syllabic stress] comes from the vocal chords of a French-speaker, it's never held against that person! When appropriate--and when I was doing dissertation research in Paris it was quite often appropriate--I've relied on such pronunciation myself.)
But my focus on the pronunciation of my own name means that I sometimes stumble over others'. I remember the first time I mentioned the name of New Yorker fiction editor Deborah Treisman in front of a writer who actually knows her. "It's TREEZ-man," he said, icily.
While we're on the subject of names, you may enjoy this post from my other blog, on author Allegra Goodman's English and Hebrew bylines (and my own--sort of).
Have a great weekend, everyone. See you back here on Monday.
I've blogged before about the misspellings my name seems to inspire in print/online, but you might be surprised by the mispronunciations. Usually, it's just my surname that causes problems: "DRAY-fus" or "DREE-fus" instead of "DRY-fus." More astonishing, to me at least, is that sometimes a not-so-mellifluous "Eh-REEK-ah" precedes some version of the last name. Um, no. (I'll just add that when a "DRAY-FOOS" [variable syllabic stress] comes from the vocal chords of a French-speaker, it's never held against that person! When appropriate--and when I was doing dissertation research in Paris it was quite often appropriate--I've relied on such pronunciation myself.)
But my focus on the pronunciation of my own name means that I sometimes stumble over others'. I remember the first time I mentioned the name of New Yorker fiction editor Deborah Treisman in front of a writer who actually knows her. "It's TREEZ-man," he said, icily.
While we're on the subject of names, you may enjoy this post from my other blog, on author Allegra Goodman's English and Hebrew bylines (and my own--sort of).
Have a great weekend, everyone. See you back here on Monday.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities
Among the many tidbits tucked into the April issue of The Practicing Writer (which went out to subscribers last week): the Stowe Prize, a new $10,000 award to "recognize a United States author whose written work makes a tangible impact on a social justice issue critical to contemporary society"; the Writers' Dojo Residencies at Sitka Center for Art and Ecology; submission alerts for a slew of publications, including Glimmer Train, Subtropics, and a new "novella digest"; and so much more.
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From Sage Cohen: "Would you love to take the Poetry for the People Level 1 or Level 2class starting in early May but can’t afford it? Then you qualify for The Poetry for the People Scholarship. And the time to apply is now!" Application deadline: April 15. No application fee. There will be one scholarship awarded per online class, and I can tell you from my own student experience that Sage is an excellent teacher.
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"Barrelhouse board member and all-around DC art scene hero Philippa Hughes is looking for writers to write short blog posts about the DC art scene for The Pink Line Project website, specifically the Art Chat section. The purpose of Art Chat is to provide the emerging collector and art enthusiasts with information about the DC art scene, to inspire them to participate in the community of people who are culturally curious, to provide accessibility to an otherwise intimidating and seemingly unwelcoming world." Pays: $50 for minimum 300 words. Check link above for details.
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"A Cup of Comfort® is a bestselling book series featuring uplifting true stories about the experiences and relationships that inspire and enrich our lives. These personal essays are written by people from all walks of life and provide unique personal insights into powerful universal truths. Now, Cup of Comfort has once again joined hands with REDBOOK magazine to sponsor a true story contest! Enter the Cup of Comfort/REDBOOK Your Love Story Contest for a chance to win $1,000, have your story excerpted in REDBOOK magazine, and publish your story in A Cup of Comfort for Couples!" No entry fee. Deadline: April 20, 2010.
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From MediaBistro.com's job announcements (free access, but you need to register to see the full posting): "mb LEARN is looking for a dynamic, spirited instructor to teach our Novel Writing class in New York starting in mid-April. This class meets for 12 weeks and will take students through the process of writing a novel, focusing on the market and publishing process as well as the craft of writing. Throughout the class, students will turn in pages for critique by the teacher and fellow students, producing up to 100 pages of a draft by the end of the class. Ideal candidate will be a recently published novelist or editor who works with novels. Classes run several times throughout the year, so there is an opportunity for continuous teaching."
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"The Penn State Altoona English Program is taking applications for a one-semester teaching residency in fiction writing. The residence, designed to offer an emerging writer substantial time to write, offers a $5,000 stipend and an additional $5,000 allowance to cover room and board in return for teaching one sophomore-level creative fiction writing workshop during the Fall 2010 semester (August 23-December 16). The resident writer will also give two readings and work informally with our English majors. Benefits are not included. We are looking for a writer with publications in literary magazines. Emphasis will be placed on the quality of the work submitted. A Master's degree in Creative Writing or English is required. Teaching experience is preferred. The application should consist of a writing sample (one short story or ten pages from a novel); a CV, including publishing history; and one or more letters of recommendation. Send to: Emerging Writer Residency, Dr. Thomas Liszka, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, Job # 31665, Penn State Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601-3760. Review of applications will begin May 17, 2010, and continue until the position is filled. For additional information about Penn State Altoona, please visit our web page at http://www.aa.psu.edu."
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Johnson C. Smith University (N.C.) is looking for an Editor (Web Content), the University of South Florida seeks a Webmaster, and the New York Public Library is looking for a Deputy Director for its Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers.
==========
From Sage Cohen: "Would you love to take the Poetry for the People Level 1 or Level 2class starting in early May but can’t afford it? Then you qualify for The Poetry for the People Scholarship. And the time to apply is now!" Application deadline: April 15. No application fee. There will be one scholarship awarded per online class, and I can tell you from my own student experience that Sage is an excellent teacher.
==========
"Barrelhouse board member and all-around DC art scene hero Philippa Hughes is looking for writers to write short blog posts about the DC art scene for The Pink Line Project website, specifically the Art Chat section. The purpose of Art Chat is to provide the emerging collector and art enthusiasts with information about the DC art scene, to inspire them to participate in the community of people who are culturally curious, to provide accessibility to an otherwise intimidating and seemingly unwelcoming world." Pays: $50 for minimum 300 words. Check link above for details.
==========
"A Cup of Comfort® is a bestselling book series featuring uplifting true stories about the experiences and relationships that inspire and enrich our lives. These personal essays are written by people from all walks of life and provide unique personal insights into powerful universal truths. Now, Cup of Comfort has once again joined hands with REDBOOK magazine to sponsor a true story contest! Enter the Cup of Comfort/REDBOOK Your Love Story Contest for a chance to win $1,000, have your story excerpted in REDBOOK magazine, and publish your story in A Cup of Comfort for Couples!" No entry fee. Deadline: April 20, 2010.
==========
From MediaBistro.com's job announcements (free access, but you need to register to see the full posting): "mb LEARN is looking for a dynamic, spirited instructor to teach our Novel Writing class in New York starting in mid-April. This class meets for 12 weeks and will take students through the process of writing a novel, focusing on the market and publishing process as well as the craft of writing. Throughout the class, students will turn in pages for critique by the teacher and fellow students, producing up to 100 pages of a draft by the end of the class. Ideal candidate will be a recently published novelist or editor who works with novels. Classes run several times throughout the year, so there is an opportunity for continuous teaching."
==========
"The Penn State Altoona English Program is taking applications for a one-semester teaching residency in fiction writing. The residence, designed to offer an emerging writer substantial time to write, offers a $5,000 stipend and an additional $5,000 allowance to cover room and board in return for teaching one sophomore-level creative fiction writing workshop during the Fall 2010 semester (August 23-December 16). The resident writer will also give two readings and work informally with our English majors. Benefits are not included. We are looking for a writer with publications in literary magazines. Emphasis will be placed on the quality of the work submitted. A Master's degree in Creative Writing or English is required. Teaching experience is preferred. The application should consist of a writing sample (one short story or ten pages from a novel); a CV, including publishing history; and one or more letters of recommendation. Send to: Emerging Writer Residency, Dr. Thomas Liszka, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, Job # 31665, Penn State Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601-3760. Review of applications will begin May 17, 2010, and continue until the position is filled. For additional information about Penn State Altoona, please visit our web page at http://www.aa.psu.edu."
==========
Johnson C. Smith University (N.C.) is looking for an Editor (Web Content), the University of South Florida seeks a Webmaster, and the New York Public Library is looking for a Deputy Director for its Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers.
Friday, April 02, 2010
Friday Find: National Poetry Month Programs and Resources
Established in the U.S. by the Academy of American Poets 14 years ago, National Poetry Month is now celebrated each April. Check out this page for details on this year's programs, events, and resources. Have a great weekend, and see you back here on Monday.
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