Finds for Writers
Most Fridays the Practicing Writing blog shares writing and publishing resources, news, and reflections to peruse over the weekend. But it’s been an excruciating week for so many of us. And frankly, I’ve paid next-to-no attention to garden-variety news from the writing and publishing spheres.
On Wednesday, however, I received an email from Facing History and Ourselves, a Boston-based global nonprofit organization that I’ve admired for many years. The email introduced a “mini-lesson” titled “Processing Attacks in Israel and the Outbreak of War in the Region.”
The resource isn’t perfect. (What resource is?) But one of its segments impressed me as something that, though intended for educators and students, could be clarifying for writers as well, in our work and in the rest of our lives. It’s a section titled “Avoiding Antisemitic and Islamophobic Tropes in Discussing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.”
- From The Postscript: Isabelle Meuret presents a conversation with Barry Siegel and Amy Wilentz in which “the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle award winners” address “teaching literary reportage, how Donald Trump’s presidency was a boon for journalism programs, and the power of storytelling.”
- Jami Attenberg’s latest newsletter manages to bring some craft lessons into the experience of fleeing a hurricane. Plus, you’ll find within some hurricane-relief efforts that you might want to support, if you can.
- ICYMI: The September issue of The Practicing Writer 2.0 went out to subscribers earlier this week. As usual, it’s packed with opportunities for your work to be supported/published/otherwise recognized. (And none of them will charge you fees for trying! And all of them will pay for winning/published work!) Planning to use this weekend for some strategic submissions? Be sure to consult the newsletter.
- As mentioned in the aforementioned newsletter: You may want to mark your calendars/register for a September 14 “Poetry Palooza” kickoff event hosted by the International Women’s Writing Guild (IWWG). The free event features a panel moderated by Trish Hopkinson (and yes, I’m one of the panelists).
- And, of course, over on the My Machberet blog there’s a new post featuring Jewish literary links.
Please have a good, safe weekend.
Dear Erika,
Finds for Writers nudges me to expand my reach, to try new publications and contests. I’m also encouraged by your comments on publishing your own work; they make it clear that persistence is is key factor in finding a good home for your work. Persistence was essential to finding a publisher for my new poetry collection Beyond Repair, released on September 3, by Able Muse Press as a special selection of their 2019 Poetry Book Award. For more information and to order:
The poems explore the traumatic effects of war on women, both the civilians and combatants in war zones. I’m honored that Yusef Komunyakaa wrote, “J. C. Todd’s Beyond Repair is woven of war and aftermath. Survival lives in the blood-wit of each turn in this wrought collection, singing and daring the heart awake.”
Thank you for the practical strategies and the hope that your newsletter offers.
Warmly,
JC
J. C. Todd