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Thursday’s Work-in-Progress: The Profitable Artist

by Erika Dreifus on
7

Tuesday evening, a writer pal and I attended an event that featured representatives from the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). The event’s focus: a new book co-published by NYFA: The Profitable Artist: A Handbook for All Artists in the Performing, Literary, and Visual Arts, “the first complete ‘how-to’ guide to being a professional and profitable working artist. This handbook features techniques in the areas of strategic planning, financial management, marketing, fundraising, and legal issues including contract law and intellectual property.”

I’ve gone ahead and ordered the book, so I haven’t read it and can’t yet comment on its content. But I’m already struggling with what it means to be a “profitable artist,” and how the book (or NYFA, for that matter, despite its noble intentions) can help me (or anyone) attain that status. (more…)

The Wednesday Web Browser for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
1
  • Looking for a way to to develop your characters? Check out Sarah Salway’s 100-question character interview.
  • Yesterday was Edith Wharton’s birthday, and David Abrams wrote a post rendering homage.
  • Literary tourism, through Daniel Nester’s eyes.
  • Great advice from Diane Lockward on “the right time” to submit your poetry. (Not sure why the link keeps taking me to comments; please scroll up to read the full post.)
  • Some tips on deciding your story’s destiny: memoir or fiction.
  • Lots of Publishers Weekly‘s content is hidden behind a paywall, but if you’re looking for forthcoming titles to consider for your reviewing practice, you may want to look through these online announcements for the spring 2012 season.
  • The 2012 Virginia Festival of the Book schedule has been posted. (I’ll be there–will you?)
  • And in case you haven’t heard: My story collection, Quiet Americans, was just named a 2012 Sophie Brody Medal Honor Title. Details here.

    • Quotation of the Week: Thrity Umrigar

    by Erika Dreifus on
    2


    “But that’s not what this story is about. It’s about how the worlds of journalism and fiction writing are not as unimaginably different as one might think. About how, in the end, there are only two kinds of writing—good writing and the mediocre kind. The transition from one genre to another is not as difficult as some people think.”

    –Thrity Umrigar

    Source: Journalist/novelist/memoirist Thrity Umrigar’s contribution to the Nieman Reports “Writing the Book” issue.

    QUIET AMERICANS Is a Sophie Brody Medal Honor Title

    by Erika Dreifus on
    4

    I learned some amazing news last night via Google Alert: Quiet Americans has been named a 2012 Sophie Brody Medal Honor Title. The Sophie Brody recognition is deeply meaningful, because it “is given to encourage, recognize and commend outstanding achievement in Jewish literature.”

    I may have more to say once the news sinks in. For now, I’ll just quote from the announcement. And say “THANK YOU!” to the judges.

    “‘Quiet Americans: Stories’ by Erika Dreifus (Last Light Studio Books): This little book of short stories is a gem that anyone can read and enjoy. Its straightforward writing and understandable stories about German Jews and their descendants bring us into the everyday lives of Jewish Americans. Some stories are interrelated, but they stand alone in their own right.”

    Monday Markets, Jobs & Opportunities for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled
  • A new essay competition commemorates the 50th anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. Two prizes will be awarded: a “Junior Prize” of $1,000 for essays 1,000 words (or less), which is open to students aged 13-18; and a “Senior Prize,” conferring $2,000 for 2,000 words (or less), which is open to anyone aged 19 or over.” Questions to spark your essayistic response are posted on the website. There is no entry fee, and the deadline is March 15, 2012.
  • “The Chattahoochee Review is seeking poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for a special focus issue on Irish Literature to be published in late 2012.” No deadline specified. Pays: “We typically pay $50/poem and $25/page for prose. Payment for reviews, interviews, plays, and art is determined on an individual basis. All contributors receive two copies.”
  • “Open City is a new online magazine on Asian American news and culture in New York. We’re looking for Creative Nonfiction Fellows to write and produce stories on the vibrant immigrant communities of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. In a time when Occupy Wall Street is shedding a harsh light on economic inequality, Open City offers a unique platform for writers to tell the stories of low-income Americans too often ignored or misrepresented. If you’re an emerging creative nonfiction writer looking for financial support, a work space and career mentorship, apply to become a Creative Nonfiction Fellow. You’ll help us document the rapidly growing, transforming and challenging experience of what it means to be Asian American in urban New York today.” No application fee. Deadline: February 17, 2012. Click here for the call and application guidelines (scroll up for the full announcement; hat tip to @alexanderchee).
  • “The SonEdna Foundation [Miss.] develops and produces literary programs that benefit the Mississippi Delta and beyond. We are currently seeking our first full-time Executive Director – someone who is looking for a challenging opportunity to lead the organization through its next stage of growth. Established in 2006, SonEdna has developed a solid reputation for innovative and high quality programming with established and aspiring writers throughout the United States. With a good beginning, the organization is poised to grow substantially with the right leadership.”
  • “The University of Mary Hardin Baylor’s College of Humanities [Texas] is seeking two full-time, tenure-track faculty positions in English, beginning in August of 2011. UMHB seeks faculty who are active Christians and dedicated teacher-scholars to prepare students for leadership, service, and faith-informed discernment in a global society. UMHB is conveniently located in Belton, an historic town of 18,000 in the heart of central Texas. Excellent schools, abundant cultural and recreational opportunities, and a high quality of life are hallmarks of the local community. Faculty Responsibilities: Activities required of all faculty include curriculum development; applied research; student recruitment and advising; professional/instruction development; and service to department college, university and the community. UMHB places emphasis upon teaching and academic research. English Faculty Responsibilities: Teach all levels of English classes including freshman composition and sophomore-level literature. Upper-level classes would include Creative Writing and Prosody. Full-time faculty members typically will teach 12 hours per semester with three course preparations.”
  • Monmouth University (N.J.) is looking for a Web Writer, the Pew Research Center (Washington) seeks a Senior Web Editor, and the Thomas B. Fordham Institute (Ohio) seeks applicants for a position as Writer and Policy Analyst.