Blog Break

Here's wishing everyone a good weekend. And a very happy Independence Day to all my fellow Americans. See you back here after the 4th.

Attention, Manitoba Writers!

The Winnipeg Public Library invites applications for a Writer-in-Residence position, which will begin November 1, 2006, and last for eight months (subject to funding).

Applications are welcome from residents of Manitoba who have published at least two books professionally. "Previous experience in teaching, writing or as a manuscript evaluator/editor/mentor would be an asset."

There's a salary of $2,500/month. Application deadline: July 14, 2006. There's no application fee.

For more information about the residency and application instructions, click here.

New Magazine Looking for Short Story (Pays: $100)

A new Illinois magazine for St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia is looking for a short story to be published in its inaugural (Winter) issue. Called metro 31 (referring to Route 31, which runs through all three towns), the magazine will pay $100 for the story within 30 days of publication (in this case, by December 5). "While this opportunity is open to any and all writers, being knowledgeable about St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia is a huge plus."

Read the full announcement here.

Literary Magazine Suspending Publication

I'm sad about this. A few days ago I received a letter from Daniel Caplice Lynch, editor-in-chief of New York Stories. Over the past few years I've submitted several stories to this literary magazine, and I've frequently received kind and encouraging responses.

Unfortunately, my work never made it into the magazine's pages. In this latest note I learned that New York Stories is at the end of its run with the summer issue (although this information does not yet seem to be on the Web site). It will be missed.

More on Winnow Press

Remember what happened with Winnow Press and its most recent First Fiction contest? No? Well, you can reread this post to refresh your memory. And then read an update from Kevin Larimer in the new Poets & Writers.

New Grant Program for New York City Artists of Color

A new program will award grants ($250-$2,500) "to support new works in all areas of visual, literary, and performing arts in the creation, development, and/or completion stages."

Administered by the Urban Artist Initiative/New York City (comprised of the Asian American Arts Alliance, Association of Hispanic Arts, Harlem Arts Alliance, and Queens Council on the Arts, with the Bronx Council on the Arts and New York Foundation of the Arts), the program is currently open to applications "from individual artists of color of African, Asian, and Latino descent who reside in the five boroughs of New York City."

Full guidelines and application available here. Application deadline: July 20, 2006. There's no application fee.

Updated, Expanded No-Cost Contest Guide

It's summer, which means it's time for the semiannual update for our Guide to No-Cost Literary Contests and Competitions. I've gone through the e-book once again, weeding out "dead" programs as well as those that are now charging reading/application/entry fees. And I've still managed to add a net gain of 18 opportunities! As usual, none of them are limited to the residents of a single state or province (I could have included those and upped the total number of competitions, but that wouldn't have made the guide as valuable for all of you). And I think 239 contests/competitions is still pretty good.

There are opportunities here in every genre, for writers at every level. Check it out here, and download the free preview (with sample listings).

Get to Know Her: Cheryl Reed, New Books Editor, Chicago Sun-Times

Cheryl Reed was recently named books editor of the Chicago Sun-Times; she's succeeding Henry Kisor. Find out what she's planning for the books section and glean a few pitching tips (useful for both book authors and reviewers) in this article from The Navigator.