Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Paying for My MediaBistro AvantGuild Membership (Many Times Over)

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I don’t know how many of you have purchased MediaBistro AvantGuild memberships or have considered doing so. I bought a membership a number of years ago, and then let it lapse—until last year, when, determined to build up my freelance practice, I renewed it.

In fact, I purchased a two-year membership (I’m one of those consumers more likely to fall for the discounts offered for long-term commitments!). And late last week, I received a contract—for a personal essay—that will pay for that extended membership multiple times over. (more…)

Monday Markets 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).

  • From the American Society of Journalists & Authors: “”The ASJA Educational Foundation is delighted to offer aspiring nonfiction writers the opportunity to apply for scholarships that will enable them to attend ASJA2013, Fire Up Your Writing Career.” Up to 10 scholarships will be awarded for the New York City conference. Deadline is April 1, 2013. No application fee.
  • Flash fiction contest for students. “Cardinal Sins is currently seeking submissions of flash fiction to be included in our regularly scheduled Winter 2013 print edition. We accept work from both emerging and established writers from any undergraduate or graduate institution and from across the nation….The winner will receive $150 and inclusion in the journal. Honorable mentions will also be included.” Theme: “Trespassing.” Deadline: March 25, 2013. No entry fee. (via @Duotrope)
  • The Jo-Anne Hirshfield Memorial Poetry Awards is a competition open to all adult and high school age Chicago area poets.” Three prizes ($100/$50/$25) in adult category (same for high school category). Deadline: March 8, 2013. No entry fee. (via WinningWriters.com)
  • Extended deadline: “The Scripps College Writing Program seeks two distinguished visiting writers for the Mary Routt Endowed Chair of Writing, one during the spring semester of 2014 and the other during the spring semester of 2015. The successful candidates will serve as Mary Routt Chair of Writing throughout the spring semester (from mid-January to mid-May). Teaching responsibilities include one writing workshop in the area of his or her choice as well as a presentation of his or her work at two public events. We are looking for candidates with critical recognition consistent with a writer of national reputation; we prefer candidates who can show evidence of outstanding teaching ability.”
  • The 2013 Paterson Fiction Prize confers a $1000 award for a novel or collection of short fiction published in 2012. Deadline: April 1, 2013. No entry fee.
  • Stay tuned for the March issue of The Practicing Writer, coming your way by week’s end.
  • Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: My “Well Versed” Debut

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    Two weeks ago, I attended a panel event, held at the Center for Jewish History here in Manhattan, that helped launch a new book, Holocaust Literature: A History and Guide. And last Friday, my account of that event was posted on the “Well Versed” blog of The Jewish Week, a New York-based newspaper that I subscribe to.

    It’s my debut post for Well Versed, and I hope it signals many to come–and perhaps even some bylines within the paper itself. We shall see.

    Meantime, here’s the opening of the post:

    Definitions can be tricky. Just try to find agreement on what qualifies (or not) as “Jewish literature.”
    Perhaps equally arguable: any effort to define “Holocaust literature.”

    In their new book, “Holocaust Literature: A History and Guide” (Brandeis University Press), David Roskies and Naomi Diamant propose some striking new terms.

    Intrigued? Please keep reading!

    (cross-posted on My Machberet)

    Monday Markets 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).

  • For our friends who are resident in the United Kingdom: “The Jane Martin Poetry Prize…is delighted to invite entries for the 2013 competition. The competition will be judged by experts drawn from across the literary world and academia. We are thrilled that this year the panel will include Gillian Beer and Caroline Bergvall. Building on the success of 2012, the 2013 winner will receive not just a cash prize of £1000, but the opportunity to give a reading at a high-profile poetry event at which the prize will be awarded.” No entry fee. Deadline: March 15, 2013.
  • Based in Canada, “Sterling is a literary journal for everyone’s stories. We accept fiction, poetry and graphic content from writers at all levels. Each issue of Sterling has its own look and feel because we love printed material. It’s also a way to celebrate our ongoing triumphs over the blank page.” Pays: “Contributors can choose between $25 or two copies of the journal.” Submission deadline: March 24, 2013. (via placesforwriters.com)
  • “Oxford University Press and the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University are pleased to announce a call for contributors to the Dictionary of Caribbean and Afro-Latin American Biography (DCALAB).” Pays: “Entries range from 500-2500 words and come with an honorarium of 10 cents per word (in OUP product) or 5 cents per word by check.”
  • From Austin Peay State University (Tenn.): “Applications are invited for the position of Assistant Professor-English with a specialization in Creative Writing-poetry. This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position to begin August, 2013.”
  • The Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University (Mass.) is advertising for a staff writer.
  • The Poetry Foundation (Chicago) is looking for an Editor for Poetry magazine.
  • Friday Finds for Writers

    Treasure ChestWriting-related resources, news, and reflections to read over the weekend.

  • The New York Times spotlights writing by veterans, and workshops and journals that are supporting it.
  • Recently, Writer Abroad attended TIPE, The Independent Publishing Event in Zurich. “Here are some of the things she learned.”
  • This is getting to be a habit. Every week, it seems, I can’t resist sharing one of Carol Tice’s posts with you. This week’s offering: “The New Freelance Writer’s Quick-and-Simple Guide to Getting Started.”
  • On a related note, check out Don Vaughan’s advice on “5 Ways to Land Freelancing Assignments.”
  • Judging by how often I’ve seen them mentioned this last week, I sense that I should be telling you something about Bookish and Vine. But neither one has grabbed my attention yet (my adoration for The Totally Hip Video Book Reviewer notwithstanding). What am I missing here?
  • Have a great weekend, all. See you back here on Monday!