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Free Summer Program for High-School Students: Great Jewish Books

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled
News from the Yiddish Book Center:
Great Jewish Books Summer Program

A week-long exploration of literature & culture for high school students
at the Yiddish Book Center, Amherst, MA

The Great Jewish Books Summer Program brings together eighteen rising high school juniors and seniors to read, discuss, argue about, and fall in love with some of the most powerful and enduring works of modern Jewish literature. Participants study with some of the nation’s most respected literary scholars, meet prominent contemporary authors, and connect with other teens from across the country. When asked what the highlight of the week was, one of last year’s students said, “The whole week was a highlight!” Enough said. This summer’s program runs from July 28 – August 4, 2013. The program is entirely free for accepted students, including tuition, rooms, meals, and a stack of incredible books. Applications are due March 15, 2013. Apply Now! Email greatjewishbooks@bikher.org with any questions.

Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Monday brings the weekly batch of no-fee competitions/contests, paying submission calls, and jobs for those of us who write (especially those of us who write fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction).

  • The month of November is an open reading period (no fees) for Black Lawrence Press, which “seeks to publish intriguing books of literature and creative non-fiction: novels, memoirs, short story collections, poetry, biographies, cultural studies, and translations from the German and French.
  • If you’re a short-story writer and a citizen of a Commonwealth country, it’s time to think about the 2013 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, “awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2000 – 5000 words). Submissions must be made by the author of the short story. Regional winners receive £1,000 and the overall winner receives £5,000.’ No entry fee. Deadline: December 4, 2012.
  • ICYMI: The November issue of The Practicing Writer is now available. As usual, it features no-fee contests/competitions and submissions calls from magazines and presses that will pay you for your work.
  • The Texas Book Festival (Austin) is looking for a Literary Programs Director, Poetry London (U.K.) seeks a Freelance Poetry Editor, and the Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) is advertising for a Features Reporter.
  • “New College of Florida announces an opening for a Writer in Residence, spring semester 2013 (February-May). The successful candidate will have: at least one published book, and significant publication in other venues as well; two years’ experience teaching creative writing, which can include instruction as a graduate student; and a strong commitment to playing an active role in the community of our residential honors college. MFA, MA, or equivalent degree preferred, but experience considered. Writers whose work engages multiethnic experience especially encouraged.” (if you need the posting #, it’s ADJ101)

    • Another big batch of teaching job announcements after the jump. (more…)

    Friday Finds for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    2

    The weekly collection of writing-related resources, news, and reflections to read over the weekend.

  • I’ve been a fan of Daniel Day-Lewis most of my adult life, and I’ve already been looking forward to seeing him portray Abraham Lincoln in his newest film. But this week I found another reason to admire him: Day-Lewis and his sister have donated the papers of their parents, poet Cecil Day-Lewis and actress Jill Balcon, to the Bodleian Libraries at Oxford University.
  • Reflections on successful (and not-so-successful) epilogues in fiction, courtesy of Tracy Hahn-Burkett.
  • Attention, freelancers: Check out these “5 Ways to to Make Low-Paying Markets Work for You” on The Renegade Writer blog. Then hop over to Dollars and Deadlines for more money talk.
  • And if you’re looking for a little bit of inspiration, don’t forget to check in with Midge Raymond’s writing prompts.

    • Have a good weekend, all. See you back here on Monday.

    Jewish Literary Links for Shabbat

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
    Every Friday morning My Machberet presents an assortment of Jewish literary news from around the Web.

  • This week I had the great pleasure of reading Jami Attenberg’s new novel, The Middlesteins (thank you, NetGalley!). I hope to write a full post about it at some point. Suffice to say that I recommend it highly. For now, I’ll point you to the ever-sage Adam Kirsch for a detailed review.
  • A reliably beautiful post from Richard Chess, writing about Michael Chabon, stories, Israel, and so much more.
  • The California-based Jewish Women’s Theatre seeks submissions for its “Culture Klatch”: “Be a part of this culture klatch by submitting your play, monologue, poem, essay, story, song, etc. to the Jewish Women’s Theatre. Material will be read in the JWT signature Salon Theatre with a professional cast.” (via the WomenArts Theatre Funding News)
  • Baltimore Jewish Times is advertising for a Senior Writer.
  • Forgive me if I’ve posted this before, but it seemed new to me when I read it this week: another profile in the press about JewishFiction.net, where I’ll have a piece appearing before too long.

    • Shabbat shalom.

    Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: How to Pitch a Book Review

    by Erika Dreifus on
    5

    You were all so incredibly kind about and interested in my previous “case study” post. So when my latest book review (of Damion Searls’s translation of Life Goes On, the first novel by Hans Keilson), appeared in The Forward last week, I thought that you might similarly welcome some potentially instructive background. That’s why I’m sharing the text below, which reproduces most of my initial e-mail message seeking the assignment.

    I say “most” because when I sent this pitch last summer, The Forward‘s arts coverage was in transition. Ultimately, I sent this pitch to both the managing editor (the former arts & culture editor) and the newly assigned arts & culture editor. I’d corresponded with both of these individuals before, so there were some personalized greetings that I’m omitting in the text below. (more…)