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Words of the Week: Clifford D. May

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

In America, it’s still considered impolite to openly disparage Jews, Israelis or Israel. But speaking in a coded way is not unacceptable. So it’s fine to suggest that perhaps some Jews exercise too much power and insinuate themselves into positions where they place Israel’s interests above America’s. Efforts to delegitimize Israel and even dehumanize Israelis are permissible “free speech” rather than impermissible “hate speech.” It also is increasingly considered bold, even brave, to suggest that Israel may have been a mistake.

Anyone with a grasp of history or a grain of common sense should know where this road leads. Yet too many people—not least, too many American Jews—seem untroubled by such rhetoric. Some even reinforce it.

Source: Clifford D. May, Moment magazine, March-April 2012

Thursday’s Work-in-Progress: The Grumpy Writer, Or Where to Publish Your Rants & Complaints

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

What’s the saying? Don’t get mad–get even.

For me, the adage might be adjusted: Don’t get mad–get writing. (And maybe even get paid.)

Over time, I seem to have found a particular way to cope with things that annoy and irritate me: I write about them. Most of the time, I’ve gained a check along with the byline.

This week, a short piece (dare I call it flash nonfiction?) was posted on The New York Times‘s City Room blog, in a recurring feature called “Complaint Box.” A few months ago, I sold a short article-essay to The Writer in which I vented certain Twitter-focused frustrations. And let’s not forget some earlier examples, such as my rejoinder to a workshop leader who mocked the use of “foreign words” in fiction, or my argument against the equally misguided classmate who told me that I shouldn’t be incorporating “current events” into my short stories, either.

Of course, as my own examples show, it’s not impossible to place this writing–essentially a kind of essay–in a variety of publications, including literary and niche magazines. But I do try to take note of specific calls and opportunities to publish rants, peeves, and other opinion-driven pieces. Here’s a short list of a few such venues (I’ve limited the list to publications that specify that they pay their writers). (more…)

The Wednesday Web Browser for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled
  • Cathy Day’s delightful dispatch from AWP: “If you’d like to teach a class in novel-writing but don’t know how, have no fear. My panel is here! David Haynes, Patricia Henley, Sheila O’Connor, Elizabeth Stuckey-French, and I have all taught the course, and we’ve compiled a Best Practices handout: syllabi, exercises, and other resources to guide you on your way.”
  • The time is approaching for the Big Poetry Giveaway 2012!
  • Reasons to write (other than for money).
  • Robert K. Massie explores the leave-taking process for biographers when they finish a book.
  • And there’s a new interview with yours truly up on the Last Light Studio website.

    • Quotation of the Week: Dr. Seuss

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”

    -Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel)

    Source: Goodreads (this was the quote of the day on March 2; Dr. Seuss was born March 2, 1904).

    Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled
  • The Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest offers 15 cash prizes totaling $3,600. Top prize is $1,500. Submit one humor poem by April 1 deadline. No entry fee.
  • “The Yiddish Book Center will award a prize of $2,500 for an outstanding new translation of Yiddish prose literature, fiction or non-fiction, that has been completed or published within the last two years. Both submissions and nominations will be accepted for consideration.Translation Prize submissions are due by May 18, 2012. The Yiddish Book Center will announce the recipients in Fall 2012.” No entry fee indicated.
  • “Talking and reading about other people’s childhoods, sadness, happiness and aspirations can help us to cope with our own ups and downs, but shared experience is seldom there to support us when our life is nearing its end or when people close to us are dying. This is why the Dying Matters Coalition is running a new creative writing competition about dying, death and bereavement. Anyone touched by dying, whether directly or as a relative, friend, colleague or carer, can enter. The judges will be looking for original writing in which the author’s feelings and thoughts about the end of life have been crafted into a succinct piece of work that attracts the reader’s attention and retains their interest.” Submissions “should be a maximum of 2,500 words of prose or 40 lines of poetry” and up to three entries may be submitted. Prizes: “1st: £200; 2nd: £100; 3rd: £50; plus highly commended certificates. All entries will also be considered for publication online or in print form.” No entry fee. Submit by March 31, 2012.
  • In case you haven’t seen it already, the March issue of The Practicing Writer is now available, with a plethora of paying calls and no-fee contests.
  • “NetGalley, a service for people who read and recommend books, is looking to add a new Reader Concierge to their existing Concierge Team. A perfect candidate will be smart, friendly, bookish, and savvy with social-media, and will be excited to handle reader support, social media outreach, and facilitate intelligent community growth….We’re looking for someone passionate about books who is a devoted digital reader, and has a solid understanding of current reading devices (and is always willing to learn!). A basic knowledge of the publishing industry and book publicity/marketing is preferred. The NetGalley team is virtual, but most of our employees are based in the NYC metro area, and extra consideration will be given to candidates in this area. We’re looking for someone available to start immediately. This is a full-time position, but we’ll consider part-time candidates (25+ hours/week) who are available every day.”
  • College of Wooster (Ohio) is hiring a Visiting Assistant Professor of English. “Three-year position in journalism and creative non-fiction. Teaching will include introductory and advanced news writing and editing, digital media, and creative non-fiction writing courses. Teaching will also include the department’s introductory course in textual and cultural interpretation, as well as participation in the College’s independent study program and interdisciplinary First-Year Seminar. Ability to offer courses in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies desirable. The teaching load is five courses per year in addition to directing senior theses.”
  • Edge Hill University (U.K.) seeks a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing. “This is an opportunity for a fiction-writer with substantial experience in Higher Education. You will provide expert teaching in a variety of modes, including writing workshops, tutorials and online interaction, and facilitate student work in a range of different media.”
  • Coventry University (U.K.) also seeks a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in English (Creative Writing).
  • Swarthmore College (Penn.) is looking for a Writer/Editor, Dallas County Community College District seeks a Web Writer/Editor, and University of Chicago (Medical Center Development) invites applications for a position as Senior Writer.