Monday Markets and Jobs for Writers

dollar-sign-mdMonday brings the weekly batch of no-fee, paying listings of competitions, contests, and calls for submissions—plus jobs for those of us who write (especially those of us who write fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction).

  • Birds of a Feather Press Travel Writing Competition: “Have you ever left a destination with the information you wished you’d known when you arrived? Something that was missing from your travel guide? Well now’s your chance to fill in the gaps. Let us know your Travel Guide Gap, by entering our 2017 Travel Writing Competition. This is your chance to fill in the gaps of your favourite destination and have a chance to win a cash prize of $200. We’re looking for enthusiastic travel bloggers and travel writers who can write about their chosen destination in 500-2,000 words. Share what you’d wish you’d known before you arrived. (Hindsight is a fabulous thing! Let others benefit from your experience and expertise). Your submission should show your travel style and personality, so sections of narrative are highly encouraged. We’re looking for an off-the-beaten path, slow travel, insider knowledge, unique and out of the ordinary travel tips and information, about any destination your heart still flutters about.” Winning submission receives $200; 10 runners-up will receive $10 Amazon certificates. Deadline: February 28, 2017. NB: “All competition entrants will be eligible for inclusion in our Anthology Travel Guide, and if selected, you will win two complimentary copies of our ebook.” (via Almond Press)
  • From Oren Litwin: “We are soliciting short stories by new and established authors in the military-fiction genre, between 3,500 and 7,000 words in length. At least ten entries will be selected for publication* in a short-story anthology, to be funded with a Kickstarter project. At least three entries will be selected from among those received before the Kickstarter goes live. Payment to the selected authors will depend on the success of the Kickstarter. If it funds, authors will receive a minimum of $100 each (max $1,000). If it fails, authors will receive $25 each, paid out of my pocket.” Deadline: March 1, 2017. Be sure to check the guidelines for a prompt and additional information.
  • “Thresholds is the only online forum dedicated to the reading, writing and study of the short story form.” Currently running its Features Competition: One overall winner will be chosen, followed by two runners-up.” There are two categories: “Author Profile” (“exploring the life, writings and influence of a single short story writer”) and “We Recommend” (“personal recommendations of a collection, anthology, group of short stories or a single short story”). Cash prizes include a 1st Prize of £500 and two Runner-up Prizes of £100. No entry fee. No simultaneous submissions. Deadline: March 5, 2017 (11:59pm, GMT).
  • The Sunlight Press (which published, and paid for, two poems of mine last week) has announced a new awards program. “The Sunlight Press is excited to announce that two original pieces, one fiction and one nonfiction, will be chosen to receive cash awards, thanks to the generous support of two readers. Writers whose work is chosen for a Spring Fiction Award and a Summer Nonfiction Award will each be awarded $50. This award is in addition to payment received from The Sunlight Press when the piece is published. The fiction award will be given to writers whose short story or flash fiction (no poetry) is published at The Sunlight Press from March 15-June 15. The nonfiction essay award will be given to a writer whose essay appears from June 15-September 15.”
  • “The digital version of The Canadian Jewish News, cjnews.com, is rolling out a first-person essay section, and we’re looking for content! We’re soliciting first-person essays that are fresh, thoughtful and honest, written in a strong narrative voice. Wherever you fall on the denominational spectrum – whether you’re Orthodox, traditional, secular, an atheist, whatever – we’re interested in writing that highlights your experience of being Jewish – whatever that looks like, or means to you – in 2017.” NB: I have confirmed with the editor that this is a paying opportunity.
  • Shelf Awareness seeks a children’s/YA editor who will lead our children’s and YA coverage. Key responsibilities include assigning books to freelance reviewers; writing and/or editing one review a week for the Pro edition and five for the Readers edition; contributing and nominating regular articles and interviews on children’s and YA titles and authors to the Pro and Readers editions; read ahead to find candidates for children’s/YA Maximum Shelves (one per month); write, edit and assist on any dedicated issues focused on children’s/YA subjects (on average three a year); attend ABA Children’s Institute, BookExpo and ALA conferences. This is a full-time position with benefits. Review writing and editing experience necessary, and experience in children’s publishing desirable. Extra points for experience working on publications with regular deadlines. Seeking a self-starter with strong editorial skills who can meet deadlines. Can work remotely, but must have room for galley storage.”
  • “Sesame Workshop us looking for a Social Media Manager. The Social Media Manager primarily assists in the management and expansion of the organization’s day-to-day social media activities and reports to the Director, Digital Marketing. Acts as part of a core team that develops opportunities to engage with younger parents and fans, drive traffic to digital channels (websites, YouTube, accounts), and support franchise and philanthropic campaigns.” This job is located in New York. (via MEOJobs)
  • “Behind the Book is a literacy nonprofit serving students in high-needs NYC public schools. Working with over 1,800 students in Pre-K – 12 with a waiting list of 22 schools, Behind the Book identifies books that speak to urban youth and partners with teachers to create immersive curriculum units including bringing the authors of those books into the classroom.” And the organization is looking for a Director of Programs.
  • Middlebury College is hiring a Director, Bread Loaf Writers’ Conferences. “This is a part time position. Time commitments include approximately five weeks in residence across the four programs; two to three hours per day workload; two visits per year to Middlebury for admissions work, program and budget planning, and consulting with college administration; and frequent communication with full-time Bread Loaf staff.”
  • From New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire: “The Arts & Humanities Division seeks a Director in Creative Writing with primary responsibility as program director of our Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. This person will also have a limited teaching responsibility. While our program is low residency, the director will occupy a full time position on campus with limited teaching responsibilities in the MFA and undergraduate Creative Writing program. The Graduate Program Director is a full-time administrative appointment to provide leadership in a range or areas for the MFA program. The Program Director must have a terminal degree and be qualified to teach in the content area.”
  • “The National Book Foundation (NBF) is seeking published authors who have experience working with young people to serve as a contractual Instructor for BookUp: Spring Storytellers, a five week intensive after-school reading and writing program for middle school students run in partnership with the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and in collaboration with BoomWriter, an online writing platform for young people. Programs are held at DYCD sites across the city, and take place between February and April 2017 (exact dates TBD based on site needs).”
  • 2 thoughts on “Monday Markets and Jobs for Writers

    1. Hi Erika,
      Thank you so much for your blog and all your generous postings. Just now I submitted a piece of flash fiction to The Sunlight Press, thanks to you. I am a big chicken when it comes to submitting, so thank you for lighting a fire under me!

      1. Erika Dreifus says:

        Thanks so much for the comment, Petrea, and good luck!

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