Monday brings the weekly batch of no-fee, paying competitions, contests, and calls for submissions—plus jobs for those of us who write (especially those of us who write fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction).
March 1 is the deadline to enter work for the Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award. “This competition is open to African American poets only. If you have already had a book published by Lotus Press or Broadside Press, you are ineligible. However, inclusion in a Lotus Press or Broadside Press anthology does not disqualify you. Any other serious African American poet, whether previously published or not, may submit a book-length manuscript for consideration. Do not include illustrations, essays, short fiction, or other material that is not poetry.” NB: “Manuscripts entered in this competition may not be submitted to other publishers for general consideration, but may be submitted to other contests, as long as you notify us that you have done so or plan to do so.” Prize: “The award winner will receive $500 in cash and publication of the manuscript by Broadside Lotus Press within the first three months of 2019, as well as free copies and discounts.” (Thanks to WinningWriters.com for the reminder on this impending deadline.)
Attention, Pittsburgh-region residents: March 1 is also the deadline to apply for Individual Artist Support from Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh. “Individual artists in any discipline whose work focuses on Black art, defined as the art of African Americans, Africa and the larger Diaspora, may apply for grants up to $15,000 to support creative and career development, creation of new works, and self-producing. Presentation of a fully realized work is not required.” No application fee. NB: See also information on related grant opportunities offered by this initiative. (Thanks to FundsforWriters.com for the tip on this one.)
“Forest Avenue Press is open for novel submissions until March 14, 2018. “Our committee of women readers is seeking one or two literary novels to publish in 2020. Forest Avenue keeps its catalog small because we believe in building strong author-publisher relationships and maximizing the dollars and hours we put into each release….Adult literary fiction only, preferably in the 50,000-to-80,0000-word range. No short story collections, novellas, poetry, or nonfiction.” We are only able to work with those who currently reside in the U.S. due to our locally focused publicity and marketing strategies. We feel it’s essential to continue adding more authors of color to our catalog. We’d also love to see more submissions from authors with disabilities, LGBTQ authors, neuroatypical authors, and others who have stories to tell that will–in their own creative and effective ways–subvert the dominant paradigm.”
The Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize confers GBP 3,000 “for the best piece of writing on the topic of ‘Childhood’ — the theme of the 2018 Alpine Fellowship Annual Symposium.” Winner and two runners up are invited to attend the symposium in Venice, Italy, in June 2018. NB: “Open to all nationalities, aged 18 and above. All genres permitted. A maximum of 2500 words per entry. Limited to one entry per person. Text must not have been published, self-published or accepted for publication in print or online, or have won or been placed in another competition at any time.” There is no entry fee, and the deadline is March 15, 2018.
“The Elizabeth Kostova Foundation offers a call for participation in its eleventh annual summer creative writing seminar which will take place between June 7-11, 2018, in the ancient town of Sozopol, Bulgaria. Fiction writers from Bulgaria and fiction writers from English-speaking countries, including but not limited to Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States, are invited to apply. Fiction works in the genres of the novel and the short story are accepted for submission. A total number of ten applicants will be selected for participation and funding. Five applicants writing in English, and five applicants writing in Bulgarian language, will be admitted to the seminar as participants and appointed fellows of the program. The Elizabeth Kostova Foundation will cover their room, board, and in-country transportation. The five English-language fellows traveling to Bulgaria will be reimbursed with 50% of their international travel expenses. The participants in the program will be presented in Sofia between June 4-6, 2018, within the CapitaLiterature Festival Platform, hosted by the Elizabeth Kostova Foundation in the Bulgarian capital for tenth year in a row.” There is no application fee; deadline to apply is March 28, 2018.
“Catapult is seeking a paid, full-time editorial and marketing intern to provide support to our teams in our New York City office. Duties will vary day-to-day, but we rely on our interns for time-sensitive, essential work. We have hired five previous interns to in-house staff positions, and proudly strive to help all of our exemplary interns with their job searches upon completing the internship with us….The four-to-six month term can begin as early as March 2018 and last through August 2018, allowing the intern to experience an entire season of the publishing calendar. Our interns earn $13/hour. People of color, LGBTQIA people, and disabled people are especially encouraged to apply.”
The Academy of American Poets (New York) is looking for a Content Assistant: “The Content Assistant helps produce the Poem-a-Day series, content for the award-winning website Poets.org, conducts outreach to content partners, assists with social media, and other related projects. This is a full-time, one-year position, with the possibility of becoming a permanent position, to be determined at the end of November 2018.”
“South Carolina Living magazine has an immediate opening for a freelance writer/editor with the reporting, writing and photo-research skills to compile our monthly preview column of festivals and events in South Carolina. We call it Highlights….We’ll provide some guidance and a list of resources, but we need a self-starter who can proactively search and find the right events to profile, track down the organizers 65 days ahead of time, interview them, write clever (but useful) one-paragraph summaries and—this is often the hard part—secure high-resolution photos we can use for publication….It can be a fun job, but it does take some legwork and persistence. Don’t let the short word count fool you. You’ll need to make some time in your daily schedule to devote to this. If you can handle these tasks, and submit clean, error-free copy that sparkles with energy and fun, let’s talk. For the right candidate, we’ll give you a paid, one-month trial-assignment. If that goes well, we’ll offer you a long-term freelance contract with a flat-rate monthly fee.” NB: “Fee for the trial assignment is $500. Long-term contract fee to be negotiated.” NB: Applicants must live in South Carolina.
“Kensington Publishing is seeking experienced freelance copy-editors and proofreaders for Lyrical Press, their e-book original imprint. Duties will include copy-editing and/or proofreading novella-length and full-length fiction projects in multiple genres, including romances of all kinds, women’s fiction, mysteries and thrillers, as well as drafting style sheets for all projects.” NB: These are work-from-home positions.
“The Department of English at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a tenure-track assistant or associate professor in Creative Writing-Fiction to begin Fall 2018. Evidence of secondary genre is welcome. At least one novel or collection of short stories published by a national press and evidence of excellent teaching is required. Applicants must have a MFA or Ph.D. in Creative Writing.”
“Denison University invites applications for a two-year appointment as Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing with an emphasis in nonfiction. Ability to teach introductory creative writing classes is required, with capabilities in poetry and fiction. The 3/3 teaching assignment may also include advanced creative writing courses, first-year writing, literature courses in the candidate’s field, and supervision of year-long senior creative writing projects. Position to begin in Fall 2018. Candidate must have an MFA or PhD. We welcome applicants with the ability to teach world literature in English and/or ethnic and minority literatures. The successful candidate will have a strong record of publication and will be an accomplished teacher ready to join a vibrant English department and a new narrative nonfiction concentration.”
The MFA in Creative Writing at St. Mary’s College of California “invites renowned writers to the college to serve as Distinguished Visiting Writers in Residence in Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry to teach graduate creative writing courses; to exhibit their work through readings and craft talks; to serve as a second reader on thesis committees of graduate students; and to join into the MFA community.”
“St. Lawrence University invites applications for a four-year, full-time visiting appointment in poetry writing. The successful candidate will offer coursework in beginning and advanced poetry writing, as well as in the literary genre of poetry, and may also advise student independent studies and honors projects. The successful candidate will also offer coursework in creative nonfiction writing (memoir, lyric essay, personal essay, or hybrid genres). The normal teaching load is three courses per semester. M.F.A. in Creative Writing and significant poetry and creative nonfiction publications are required; Ph.D. with creative dissertation preferred.”
