Just a quick note to remind you about our blog page listing emergency resources for writers. This page began in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It was updated this past weekend to include two more programs:
1) Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation Program
Post Office Box 44202
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Tel. 225.342.8196
(Deadline: April 3, 2006)
"In an effort to defray the costs related to physical loss or property damage, relocation, or other specific economic harm suffered as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Foundation has earmarked designated relief funds to aid Louisiana's cultural economy in its recovery." Grants funds may support individual artists; cultural economy small business; and galleries, museums, collectives and nonprofit cultural organizations. Grants to individual artists may not exceed $5,000; grants to artist businesses and small/medium-size organizations generally may not exceed $10,000; and grants to nonprofit cultural organizations may not exceed $25,000. Download the application/full guidelines at the website, and/or contact the Foundation for complete information.
2) A Studio in the Woods Restoration Residencies
13401 River Road
New Orleans, LA 701131-3204
info (at) astudiointhewoods.org
(application fee on a sliding scale, $5-$20)
"As our response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, A Studio in the Woods has created eight four-week residencies during February 2006-January 2007...for New Orleans visual artists, musicians, composers, writers and performing artists who have lost their homes in the hurricane and are displaced into other cities and communities." In addition to food, lodging, and studio space, the residency awards include transportation costs to and from New Orleans and within the city (up to $1350), a $2000 stipend, and assistance from staff members. Visit the website for full guidelines/an application. Note that applications must be postmarked (or received by e-mail) "on the 25th day of the second month preceding the residency you want." (As an example, January 25, 2006 for a March 2006 residency. However, the deadline for February residency applications has been extended to January 22, 2006.)
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Friday, January 13, 2006
An Assignment for an Adventurous Writer
This sounds fun--and a little scary. To me, at any rate. I am not brave enough to try to take this on, but maybe you are.
Here's the deal. Scuba Diving magazine seeks "a talented writer to become a certified recreational diver—at our expense—and then tell the world all about the experience in a 'great read` feature. Your article will be the centerpiece of a newsstand special designed to introduce non-divers to the sport."
They'll pay to send you to a resort, they'll pay for the training, and they'll pay for the piece.
"We want a great—make that insanely great—personal narrative writer. Someone who can tell the story of their transformation from an absolute novice to a certified diver with a funny and insightful feature-length piece that will inspire others to take up the sport."
You must apply for this assignment by January 27. Full details posted over at JournalismJobs.com.
Here's the deal. Scuba Diving magazine seeks "a talented writer to become a certified recreational diver—at our expense—and then tell the world all about the experience in a 'great read` feature. Your article will be the centerpiece of a newsstand special designed to introduce non-divers to the sport."
They'll pay to send you to a resort, they'll pay for the training, and they'll pay for the piece.
"We want a great—make that insanely great—personal narrative writer. Someone who can tell the story of their transformation from an absolute novice to a certified diver with a funny and insightful feature-length piece that will inspire others to take up the sport."
You must apply for this assignment by January 27. Full details posted over at JournalismJobs.com.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
L'Affaire James Frey
A few people have asked me what I think about the current literary scandals, particularly the memoir-oriented James Frey case. Actually, a few of those who asked did so admitting they could already guess my take on it. They know I've never had much patience for what I consider nontruth in nonfiction. And by the way, I still consider memoir a sub-genre of nonfiction, with all nonfiction's attendant characteristics, rewards, and responsibilities.
Maybe that explains, in part, why I really haven't wanted to take on l'Affaire Frey myself. And maybe today's Publishers Lunch summarizes even more clearly why I haven't focused on the subject here: "It would be an understatement to say there is an abundance of stories on James Frey, his Larry King appearance last night, and Oprah's dramatic last-minute blessing of the 'emotional truth' of however it is that he told his tale. We presume that if you're interested, there's little new we can tell you, just as our subjective assumption is that you've probably already formed a firm opinion on the matter."
Yes. Which isn't to say that I won't comment later, once I've had more time to think about all this. Maybe I'll decide I have something original/potentially new and interesting and enlightening to contribute. I'm also looking forward to Mary Karr's editorial on the subject, which, according to today's PW Daily, is in the works.
But for the moment, I'm confident that you're following the news yourself. In the unlikely event that you aren't, here are just a few recommended readings:
A transcript of last night's Larry King Live Interview with James Frey;
An editorial published in the Los Angeles Times;
And though it's dated (from 2003), this article, "Memoirs: The Novel Approach to Facts", published in The Age, is also highly relevant.
ADDED JANUARY 15, 2006:
Here are two articles/commentaries from today's New York Times with which wholly agree. You'll need to register to read the full pieces; registration is free.
1) Randy Kennedy's "My True Story, More or Less, and Maybe Not at All," which appears on the cover page of the "Week in Review" section.
2) Mary Karr's op-ed, "His So-Called Life".
Maybe that explains, in part, why I really haven't wanted to take on l'Affaire Frey myself. And maybe today's Publishers Lunch summarizes even more clearly why I haven't focused on the subject here: "It would be an understatement to say there is an abundance of stories on James Frey, his Larry King appearance last night, and Oprah's dramatic last-minute blessing of the 'emotional truth' of however it is that he told his tale. We presume that if you're interested, there's little new we can tell you, just as our subjective assumption is that you've probably already formed a firm opinion on the matter."
Yes. Which isn't to say that I won't comment later, once I've had more time to think about all this. Maybe I'll decide I have something original/potentially new and interesting and enlightening to contribute. I'm also looking forward to Mary Karr's editorial on the subject, which, according to today's PW Daily, is in the works.
But for the moment, I'm confident that you're following the news yourself. In the unlikely event that you aren't, here are just a few recommended readings:
A transcript of last night's Larry King Live Interview with James Frey;
An editorial published in the Los Angeles Times;
And though it's dated (from 2003), this article, "Memoirs: The Novel Approach to Facts", published in The Age, is also highly relevant.
ADDED JANUARY 15, 2006:
Here are two articles/commentaries from today's New York Times with which wholly agree. You'll need to register to read the full pieces; registration is free.
1) Randy Kennedy's "My True Story, More or Less, and Maybe Not at All," which appears on the cover page of the "Week in Review" section.
2) Mary Karr's op-ed, "His So-Called Life".
New Travel E-zine Seeks Published Authors
Another market lead from Jen Leo at WrittenRoad.com. This time Ms. Leo spreads the word about Perceptive Travel. According to its writer's guidelines, this e-zine "will be published bi-monthly, with four to six articles per issue, plus at least one travel-related book review and a few world music reviews." Note that the editor is seeking submissions only from published book authors/anthology editors. Pay, for now, is $50 per article, on acceptance.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Go (Write) Wild!
You have until March 15, 2006, to submit a (previously unpublished) essay to the Second Annual Wild Iowa Essay Project, which "encourages thoughtful, effective writing about the wild in Iowa. The Project is not a contest so much as an organized opportunity to inspire people of all ages to think and write about what the wild is and could be in Iowa."
According to the essay and submission guidelines (which you of course need to read in full), entries should address "one or more of the following questions. Authors are encouraged to use specific examples and personal experiences.
*What does/should 'wildness' mean to Iowans?
*How have we moved away from the wild in Iowa, and what harm has that caused?
*Where does the wild still exist in Iowa now?
*How can Iowans 'rewild'?
*What would a 'wilder Iowa' look like?"
Note that there are two submission categories, "Youth" and "Adult." Entries "may be in any prose essay form, ranging from expository to creative nonfiction." Word limit: 3,000 words.
Selected essays will win cash awards "of up to $300." Winning essays that are submitted electronically will be published on the Wild Iowa Essay Project website. There's no entry fee.
According to the essay and submission guidelines (which you of course need to read in full), entries should address "one or more of the following questions. Authors are encouraged to use specific examples and personal experiences.
*What does/should 'wildness' mean to Iowans?
*How have we moved away from the wild in Iowa, and what harm has that caused?
*Where does the wild still exist in Iowa now?
*How can Iowans 'rewild'?
*What would a 'wilder Iowa' look like?"
Note that there are two submission categories, "Youth" and "Adult." Entries "may be in any prose essay form, ranging from expository to creative nonfiction." Word limit: 3,000 words.
Selected essays will win cash awards "of up to $300." Winning essays that are submitted electronically will be published on the Wild Iowa Essay Project website. There's no entry fee.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Paying Markets Galore
Important update for poets and essayists. Check out the very latest directory of paying poetry markets and directory of paying essay markets. "Dead" markets have been removed from the last editions (dating back to September); nonetheless, we've managed to expand both e-books--nearly 100 markets in each! Be sure to download the previews--complete with free sample listings. Enjoy!
Sunday, January 08, 2006
And Still Another Low-Residency MFA Program
These low-res programs just keep on multiplying. Here's the latest one I've discovered: a program in fiction and non-fiction at Southern New Hampshire University.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
A Winter Weekend's Reading
If you're looking for some writing-oriented reading this weekend you can find plenty to keep you occupied (and thinking) in online offerings from the January-February 2006 Poets & Writers magazine. I found so much of direct interest to me in this issue I'm still marveling over it.
My interest was piqued first when I saw that the magazine had published a complimentary letter penned by a friend of mine. That was a good sign! (No, that's not one of the online offerings I'm pointing you to. But I have to say it made me smile as I read on.)
I can't say I've read all of David Foster Wallace's work, but his story, "The Depressed Person," remains a favorite. So I was more than just intrigued to find Joe Woodward's piece, "In Search of David Foster Wallace," in the magazine.
Then, because I'm a pretty active book reviewer (I should probably be writing a review right this minute instead of blogging--the book in question is reprovingly within my peripheral vision) and try to help others learn about book reviewing I was also interested in Timothy Schaffert's Q&A with David Ulin, who now edits the Los Angeles Times Book Review.
As if that weren't enough, Daniel Nester's article on Stephen Elliott's new anthology addresses one of my favorite topics: "politically inspired fiction."
And finally, there's Kevin Larimer's report on the outcome of the most recent Winnow Press First Fiction competition. Or maybe lack of outcome is a better term, since no prize was awarded. I certainly can't say I'm an uninvolved party here, both because I know very well which little bird alerted Mr. Larimer to this piece of news and because yes, I am one of the 300 people whose manuscripts the press found, in the words of publisher Corinne Lee, "so disappointing." I suppose I'll just remain grateful to (and perhaps in a very human way will prefer the judgments of) the editors of the five journals and two contests that published and "prized" the stories included in this manuscript collection (a shortened one, due to the contest's page limits) in the past. And I'll be grateful, too, to Winnow Press for returning my contest fee.
My interest was piqued first when I saw that the magazine had published a complimentary letter penned by a friend of mine. That was a good sign! (No, that's not one of the online offerings I'm pointing you to. But I have to say it made me smile as I read on.)
I can't say I've read all of David Foster Wallace's work, but his story, "The Depressed Person," remains a favorite. So I was more than just intrigued to find Joe Woodward's piece, "In Search of David Foster Wallace," in the magazine.
Then, because I'm a pretty active book reviewer (I should probably be writing a review right this minute instead of blogging--the book in question is reprovingly within my peripheral vision) and try to help others learn about book reviewing I was also interested in Timothy Schaffert's Q&A with David Ulin, who now edits the Los Angeles Times Book Review.
As if that weren't enough, Daniel Nester's article on Stephen Elliott's new anthology addresses one of my favorite topics: "politically inspired fiction."
And finally, there's Kevin Larimer's report on the outcome of the most recent Winnow Press First Fiction competition. Or maybe lack of outcome is a better term, since no prize was awarded. I certainly can't say I'm an uninvolved party here, both because I know very well which little bird alerted Mr. Larimer to this piece of news and because yes, I am one of the 300 people whose manuscripts the press found, in the words of publisher Corinne Lee, "so disappointing." I suppose I'll just remain grateful to (and perhaps in a very human way will prefer the judgments of) the editors of the five journals and two contests that published and "prized" the stories included in this manuscript collection (a shortened one, due to the contest's page limits) in the past. And I'll be grateful, too, to Winnow Press for returning my contest fee.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
