Paired Writing Contests on “The Catskills and the Holocaust”

I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen anything quite like this before: paired writing contests–one in fiction and one in nonfiction–as part of a book project, Summer Haven: How the Catskills Experienced the Holocaust, edited by Holli Levitsky, Professor of English and Director of Jewish Studies at Loyola Marymount University, and Phil Brown, Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies at Brown University, “which will provide a locus for literature exploring the experience of the Holocaust in the Catskills.”

Clicking the link above, you’ll find much more explanation about these contests. I’ll just give you some basics: no entry fees indicated and deadlines of July 1, 2012. For each contest, the winner will receive $500 and up to $500 for travel costs to present the work at the November 2012 Jewish American and Holocaust Literature Symposium in Miami. Winning works will also be published in the Levitsky/Brown book.

Jewish Literary Links for Shabbat

Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
  • Thanks to the Jewish Book Council for taking note of the Sophie Brody Medal news in its latest JLit Links post! (By the way, for a response to the kidlit link included in that post, see The PJ Library.)
  • And speaking of kids’ books: Marjorie Ingall writes about Holocaust books for children.
  • And still more about Jewish kidlit: ‘Tis the season for the Sydney Taylor Book Award interviews. Get to know some award-winning authors and illustrators February 5-10.
  • The American Jewish Historical Society has redesigned its website. I hope to spend some time exploring it soon.
  • Finally, a reading rec from my mom. She just finished reading The Arrogant Years, the new memoir from Lucette Lagnado, and she LOVED it. I haven’t read it yet, but I did think Lagnado’s previous book, The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit, was pretty terrific.
  • Shabbat shalom!

    Friday Find: Five Ways to Write a Poem (and Maybe a Few More)

    How do I write thee? Let me count the ways….

    Or maybe not.

    Still, there are plenty of ways to write a poem, and this week, Robert Lee Brewer shared five techniques that have helped when he’s “been stuck in a rut.” Check the comments thread, too.

    Since I’m a fan of prompts, I’ll also point you to poet Diane Lockward’s recent post featuring sites that provide poetry prompts.

    Enjoy, and have a great weekend. See you back here on Monday!

    Thursday’s Work-in-Progress: Seeking Your Advice

    If you follow this blog, it’s no secret that I’m still pretty interested in freelancing, even if I do have a full-time job. The time I have for it is just more limited than it once was.

    But I want to continue developing my freelancing skills and practice. So here’s my question: Is an ASJA membership something I should be pursuing? I’m starting to notice all of the publicity surrounding the next annual conference, so I’m giving it some thought.

    I welcome your advice–especially if you’re a past or present ASJA member! I’m especially interested in knowing how ASJA may have helped your freelancing practice. Thanks in advance.

    Words of the Week: Paul Auster

    Whatever the Prime Minister might think about the state of Israel, the fact is that free speech exists there and no writers or journalists are in jail. According to the latest numbers gathered by International PEN, there are nearly one hundred writers imprisoned in Turkey, not to speak of independent publishers such as Ragip Zarakolu, whose case is being closely watched by PEN Centers around the world. All countries are flawed and beset by myriad problems, Mr. Prime Minister, including my United States, including your Turkey, and it is my firm conviction that in order to improve conditions in our countries, in every country, the freedom to speak and publish without censorship or the threat of imprisonment is a sacred right for all men and women.

    Paul Auster, in response to Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. Source: The New York Times.