Friday Finds for Writers


Writing-related resources, news, and reflections to enjoy over the weekend.

  • Concerned about an ostensible lack of a central goal for your writing? Let Nina Badzin’s post for Woven Tale Press comfort you. (It worked for me!)
  • In which Alexander Chee shares four reasons he always asks about money for writing.
  • “But as a book editor who sees lots of writers make many identical mistakes, I’d like to highlight two common writing flaws that clutter the manuscripts of many aspiring authors. I call these culprits ‘hedge words’ and ‘inflation words.'” Check out Jessi Rita Hoffman’s post on Jane Friedman’s site.
  • I’ll admit that over the years, I’ve given little thought to poetry from New Zealand. And maybe that’s what makes the latest issue of Poetry magazine so intriguing to me. Read the editors’ introduction here.
  • And remember: If it’s Friday, you’ll find a fresh set of #JewLit links over on My Machberet.
  • Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

    3 thoughts on “Friday Finds for Writers

    1. diana rosen says:

      Bravo to Alexander about writing for money. Painting, performing dance or music, and writing are not hobbies, they are professional pursuits yet artists are continuously asked to do their art for free. This is particularly egregious for poets and essayists. My position is if you can pay yhe printer, pay the contributor or get a sponsor or get another gig. And essayists and poets? Speak up!

    2. Sandy Soli says:

      Mr. Chee, thanks for this unique and necessary commentary on the subject of money.

      I do not submit to non-paying journals unless it’s a friend’s project that I wish to support. Sorta like giving to a favorite charity. Journals that state in their guidelines “we love to read your stuff but are too poor to pay for it” are ignored. Ignored even more are journals that state “we provide exposure and a wide readership.” Baloney. I can provide my own exposure, out in the low-number Fahrenheit today, for example.

      Ignored the very most are journals that do not pay, do not offer the courtesy of a response, and those who want me to pay a reading fee. Nope. Nope. Nope. I am not arrogant, nor am I a beggar.

      Hooray for you! I am a proud member of your club and am pleased to be a cheerleader for your sensible approach.

    3. Nina says:

      Thank you, Erika, for including my essay at Woven Tale Press. Glad it was a comfort to you! Helps me to know there are others in the same boat.

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