Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Literary Citizenship

There are lots of ways to be a good literary citizen. I like to think that when I share news of opportunities for writers, I’m being a good literary citizen. When I “talk” about books and stories and essays and poems that I’ve read and admired–whether in a “real” conversation, in a blog post, on Twitter, or on Goodreads–I’m being a good literary citizen. And when I participate in the monthly Jewish Book Carnival, “a monthly event where bloggers who blog about Jewish books can meet, read, and comment on each others’ posts,” I’m also being a good literary citizen. Especially when I volunteer to serve as Carnival host.

You see, each month, Jewish Book Carnival posts are curated on one of the participant’s sites. A Carnival post typically publishes on the 15th of the month. Last Saturday evening, after sundown and the end of the Jewish Sabbath, the December Carnival went live on My Machberet, the blog I maintain where I focus specifically on matters of Jewish literary and cultural interest.

I invite you to visit and see all of the wonderful contributions from the Carnival participants. And if discussing Jewish-themed literature appeals to you, perhaps at some point you’ll want to join the Carnival, too.

Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

Monday brings the weekly batch of no-fee competitions/contests, paying submission calls, and jobs for those of us who write (especially those of us who write fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction).

  • Launching this week: the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Emergency Relief Fund. “The Andy Warhol Foundation, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and Lambent Foundation (a project of the Tides Center) have established an Emergency Relief Fund, administered by NYFA to assist artists with damages and losses as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Eligible artists can be working in any discipline and reside in Connecticut, New Jersey or New York. Damages are broadly defined and include, but are not limited to: damage to physical work; damage to homes/studios/other facilities; loss of equipment or supplies; loss of income, and reimbursement for cancelled performances/appearances/engagements. We anticipate the overwhelming majority of grants will range between $1,000 and $5,000, but there may be extraordinary circumstances in which slightly smaller or larger grants might be made.” Applications will be made available on November 21.
  • Bethesda Magazine and the Bethesda Urban Partnership are partnering to sponsor a short story and essay contest.” Cash prizes, publication, and other goodies will be awarded in each genre (and for high-school age writers and writers 18 and over “and finished with high school”). There’s no entry fee, and the deadline is January 25, 2013. Note that essay submissions (500 words, maximum) may come from writers resident in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC; short-story submissions (4,000 words, maximum) are limited to residents of Montgomery Country, Maryland, and Upper NW, DC (ZIP codes 20015 and 20016).
  • From the U.K.: “Booktrust is looking for paid freelance reviewers to write book recommendations for our site on books from contemporary fiction to Young Adult fiction to crime to translated fiction to short stories to non-fiction. We cover a wide range of books.”
  • “Mediabistro is looking for a dynamic, spirited instructor to teach a food blogging class online this March. Class meets over 6 weeks and will teach students how to design, promote, and maintain a blog dedicated to food.” (NB: Site registration required to view full ad.)
  • Please keep reading for college-level teaching jobs. (more…)

    Friday Finds for Writers

    The weekly collection of writing-related resources, news, and reflections to read over the weekend.

  • I was very sorry to learn of the passing of Isaiah Sheffer, whose voice has welcomed me into so many memorable “Selected Shorts” broadcasts.
  • Superb submission advice from Michelle Seaton.
  • Nina Badzin is celebrating her blog’s second birthday with a slew of prizes. (The blog is instructive and fun, and I love visiting/reading, so I recommend that you go over there even if you aren’t interested in the books, barres, or blogging consultation that Nina is offering.)
  • You’ve likely heard the news: Philip Roth is done with writing! Eitan Kensky reads Roth’s declaration more closely.
  • And ICYMI: my November “First Looks” column, posted this week, previews two new fiction releases.
  • Have a great weekend, all. See you back here on Monday.

    Jewish Book Carnival (Plus an Announcement About My Newest Role)

    It’s mid-month, which means that it’s once again time for the Jewish Book Carnival, organized by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL). Please click through to find all the posts on Jewish books and writing that the Carnival contributors are sharing this month.

    You’ll see, too, that we’ll be hosting the Carnival right here on My Machberet next month. And there’s one more exciting announcement included in the Carnival: Yours truly will be the AJL’s Facebook Writer-in-Residence during the month of December. Don’t miss any of those posts and discussions! “Like” the AJL’s Facebook page today!

    Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

    Monday brings the weekly batch of no-fee contests/competitions and paying gigs for those of us who write (especially those of us who write fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction).

    • First up: ArtsFwd is looking for two Blogging Fellows, who “will be expected to contribute posts of 500 to 800 words twice monthly for a four month term about topics including the process of innovation, adaptive leadership, and new thinking about organizational change in the arts, with a focus on models of success. Fellows will also be expected to monitor comments on their posts and respond as appropriate. Topics for posts will be selected and edited in collaboration with the EmcArts staff, and may include analysis of sector trends and current events, interviews with arts leaders and non-arts innovators, book reviews, and roundups of news and events.” Pays: “Blogging Fellows will be paid as freelancers at a rate of $50 per post. If Fellows have an existing blog, cross-posting content generated for ArtsFwd is allowed and encouraged. Following the successful completion of their term, Fellows will be welcome to continue writing for ArtsFwd on an ad hoc basis. The position is not office based: candidates from all over the United States are encouraged to apply.” Apply by September 17, 2012.
    • From The Pedestal Magazine: “FROM AUGUST 28-OCTOBER 13, AND AGAIN FROM OCTOBER 28-DECEMBER 13, WE WILL ONLY BE RECEIVING POETRY SUBMISSIONS (NO RESTRICTIONS ON THEME, LENGTH, OR STYLE). There is no need to query prior to submitting poetry. Submit up to six (6) poems. Please submit all poems in one (1) file. Pay Rate: $40 per poem.”
    • Subscribers have had all weekend to peruse the September issue of The Practicing Writer. But you can catch up with all of the paying publication opportunities and no-cost competitions listed within by clicking here.
    • Towson University (Md.) is advertising for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of English. “Creative Non-Fiction Writing specialist. Sub-fields may include lyric essay, free-lance writing, editing, prose style, memoir, and/or rhetoric. Candidates must possess a demonstrated commitment to teaching and evidence of an active creative agenda, generally shown by a book or several significant journal publications.”
    • “The English Department, University of Kentucky, seeks a tenure-track assistant professor specializing in Creative Nonfiction. Experience teaching other genres of creative writing, as well as literature courses, is also desirable. Subspecialty in Appalachian literature and culture is also desired.”  If the link doesn’t take you directly to the listing, it will help to know the job requisition number: SM542545. (h/t to Tasha Cotter)
    • “The English Department of Williams College seeks to fill a full-time tenure-track position in Creative Writing (Poetry), beginning in fall 2013. Appointments are normally at the beginning assistant professor level. Requirements include at least one book with a nationally recognized press, as well as evidence of excellence in teaching.”
    • Washington City Paper seeks a City Lights Editor, Ogden Publications (Topeka, Kansas) is looking for an Online Editorial Assistant, and Girls Write Now (New York) is advertising for a Director of Programs.