Thursday’s Work-in-Progress

The big news here is that today is my last day at the day job until June 11. Shockingly, I am actually using a big chunk of my paid vacation time, instead of simply taking a day here and there. (Thanks, Residency-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named, for rejecting me and making it unnecessary to conserve that time for you.) And though I do have a brief trip out-of-town planned for this holiday weekend, I’ll be spending most of my vacation right here in New York City, focusing primarily on things writerly and readerly.

I have all kinds of plans–for research, writing, reading, and querying. I have “dates” with writer pals scheduled. I’ll spend a day at Book Expo America (BEA) and immerse myself in some of the meal-sharing and party-going that’s associated with BEA week. I’ve RSVPd “yes” to several readings. Basically, I’ll be doing all sorts of things I wish I could do all the time, if only I weren’t a) behind a desk at a 9-5 job and b) too often worn out by said job and c) cramming in the rest of my obligations and tasks on the margins of aforementioned job. Plus, I’m going to be a lot stricter with myself about exercise. And I’m hoping to sneak in at least a couple of movies/shows.

In other words, I’m about to have a chance to breathe, think, and relax. All of which I expect will be helpful to my writing practice.

I can’t wait!

(Don’t worry–I’ll still have a Friday Find for you tomorrow! And the June newsletter will go out next week as per our regular schedule.)

The Wednesday Web Browser for Writers

Welcome to the Wednesday collection of gleanings from the Web:

  • Noted by The Cincinnati Review: “We receive about 1,500 poems, stories, and essays a month through our online submission manager, and many of those submissions get read by our staff, who have noticed the following trends. . . .”
  • The latest author to contribute to the “My First Time” column on David Abrams’s wonderful blog is Susan Woodring, describing her first telephone conversation with her agent. (P.S. Huge congrats to David on the selection of Fobbit, his forthcoming novel, for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers program.)
  • Next week will bring the June issue of The Practicing Writer, which will feature a Q&A with Midge Raymond, author most recently of Everyday Writing: Tips and Prompts to Fit Your Regularly Scheduled Life. Right now, you can learn more about the book and enter a giveaway on Goodreads.
  • Speaking of giveaways, there’s also still a bit of time remaining to leave a comment and be eligible for one of our own Short Story Month Collection Giveaway Project offerings.
  • Poet Diane Lockward shares the qualities that draw her to (or repel her from) online literary journals.
  • Who can’t benefit from a refresher course on the comma?
  • Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

  • The current submissions window for Nashville Review ends on June 1. “Nashville Review publishes the best in literary fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and comics. Both distinguished and emerging writers are encouraged to submit. Nashville Review also publishes lyrics and audio by up-and-coming musicians.Fiction, nonfiction, and comics contributors are offered a flat fee of $100. Poetry contributors are offered $25 per poem.”
  • “Are you a total iPhone fanatic? Do you geek out for hours a day on your iPad? If so, you’re just who we’re looking for to create original, informative, and entertaining content for iPhone Life, the premier magazine for all things iOS. Written by users, for users, iPhone Life magazine offers the latest iOS news, helpful tips, how-to articles, app and gear reviews, and much more. We’re looking for article writers who are passionate about their devices and have something valuable to share with other iOS users. We pay $25 per published article and will include your bio and photo.”
  • The Fred Otto Prize for Oz Fiction will award a $100 first prize and a $50 second prize. ““Oz Fiction” is defined as any story about or pertaining to the Land of Oz as originally created by author L. Frank Baum in the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels, but stories need not be confined to Baum’s vision. Submissions about or pertaining to the Land of Oz in any of its forms will be accepted. Stories may follow on from Oz books, Oz plays, Oz movies, Magic Land, or any other fictional version of Oz.” Deadline is June 30, 2012. There is no entry fee. (via WinningWriters.com)
  • Paid internship in Communications & Social Media w/the Jewish Women’s Archive (Boston-based): “Do you feel at home in the blogosphere? Do you have a knack for social media? An interest in Jewish culture, feminism, politics, history, books, food, education, popular culture? The Jewish Women’s Archive (JWA) is seeking an organized, self-motivated individual who can keep up with the fast-paced world of blogging. If an important story breaks at 11 p.m., we need to have a blog post ready the next morning. If you love to write and want to know what makes the non-profit world really tick, join our small but dynamic team and gain valuable experience running our blog and developing our use of Facebook and Twitter. This is an opportunity to build a portfolio of writing for the web, gain editorial experience, and use your social media talents to drive effective communication.”
  • Cleveland State University seeks a Visiting Assistant Professor of English (Poetry Writing)/Interim Director of CSU Poetry Center. “The position carries a teaching load of two courses per semester, including undergraduate and M.F.A. workshops and craft classes, as well as the direction of graduate creative writing theses. Duties will also include close supervision of all Poetry Center book production and promotion activities, and supervision of a graduate student staff. Applicants must have at least one book of poetry published or under contract, and an M.F.A., or Ph.D. in Creative Writing by July 1, 2012.”
  • “The Department of English at Texas A&M University invites applications for a one-year position in creative writing (fiction) at the visiting writer-in-residence level to start Fall 2012 (possible one-year renewal subject to satisfactory review and budgetary circumstances). Candidates must have an MFA, or PhD with an emphasis in creative writing, with publications and demonstrated teaching ability. Courses to be taught may include both undergraduate and graduate creative writing. The course load is 3/3 for the academic year with a 9 month contract.”
  • Brooklyn College (CUNY) is looking for a Director of News & Information, Boston University seeks an Editor/Writer, and Friends of the National Zoo (Washington) invites applications for a Writer position.
  • Jewish Literary Links for Shabbat

    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen

    Once again, there’s so much to share this week. Let’s get started.

  • You may recall how much I admired HHhH, the Laurent Binet novel translated by Sam Taylor. Now, I’m thinking that I should try to pick up a copy of the original French edition. Plus: In The New Yorker, James Wood weighs in with a review that’s definitely worth reading (and thinking about).
  • Mazel tov to Israel on the recent honor it received at the International Book Fair of Buenos Aires.
  • “The Philip Roth Society proudly announces a call for papers for Roth@80, a conference event organized, in conjunction with the Newark Preservation & Landmarks Committee, to mark the 80th birthday of Philip Roth. It will take place on March 18-19, 2013, at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ.” Proposal deadline is September 1, 2012.
  • On The Whole Megillah, Nancy K. Miller answers questions on the writing process behind her award-winning family memoir, What They Saved: Pieces of a Jewish Past.
  • This week brought us the May Jewish Book Carnival. Thanks to the Jewish Book Council’s blog (The ProsenPeople) for hosting.
  • Sixth & I, “a historic synagogue and center for arts, entertainment, and cultural experiences in downtown DC,” is looking for a Cultural Programming Associate. And the Boston-based Jewish Women’s Archive (JWA) is advertising a paid internship in communications & social media.
  • Shabbat shalom.