Wednesday’s WIP: Odds & Ends

by Erika Dreifus on
13

Some nice developments in my writing life over the past week or so:

  • I’ve received two exciting book-reviewing assignments (I can’t talk about them in any detail yet–but I’ll let you know when I can!).
  • I’ve joined the roster of panelists who will be participating in The Whole Megillah Conference on Jewish Story in May.
  • I’ve submitted my first article invoice for 2014 (that article won’t be out for quite awhile, but again, I’ll let you know when it’s available).

    • Some not-so-nice developments:

  • Another contest loss and another litmag rejection.
  • Another article-pitch rejection from a publication that I’m beginning to think simply won’t ever publish me.
  • I’m still waiting on some freelance payments that should have reached me in 2013–but didn’t.

    • So that’s what’s “in-progress” with me. What about you?

    Sunday Sentence

    by Erika Dreifus on
    5

    UnknownAnother Sunday in which I participate in David Abrams’s “Sunday Sentence” project, which asks others to share the best sentence(s) we’ve read during the past week, “out of context and without commentary.”

    But of course, a Jew is never free not to be a Jew—and a writer who publishes a whole book about being Jewish is not exactly fleeing the identification.

    Source: Adam Kirsch’s review of Yascha Mounk’s new memoir, for Tablet.

    (Again, breaking the “no-commentary” rule: I like this sentence so much because it crystallizes my own sentiments after reading Mounk’s essay in last week’s New York Times “Week in Review.”)

    Words of the Week: MLA Members for Scholars’ Rights

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    Arguing against an anti-Israel resolution that will be voted on tomorrow by members of the Modern Language Association (MLA) Delegate Assembly, a group of scholars has prepared an extraordinarily thorough and essential document that I hope anyone who will be voting will take the time to read.

    The preamble:

    We are deeply committed to academic freedom of movement, the free exchange of ideas, and rigorous scholarship. Accordingly, we strongly oppose Resolution 2014-1, which fails to advance the first of these two principles in any meaningful way and which grossly violates the third principle by advancing a discriminatory agenda based on flawed information and lack of context.

    For the rest, please read the full document.

    Friday Finds for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    2

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

  • Over on 2paragraphs: succinct and sensible social-media advice for writers from Harvey Freedenberg
  • Any writing conferences on your agenda for 2014? You may want to bookmark these “Ten Tips for Tweeting at Conferences.”
  • Some thoughts (and tips) on poetry book contests from Diane Lockward, based on her recent experience as a contest judge.
  • “Byliner can keep the money. I’ll keep my self-respect.” Author (and former Byliner editor) Will Blythe recently explained why he wouldn’t sign the company’s termination agreement, which included a non-disparagement clause.
  • On the Graywolf Press blog: the art of rejection. (h/t Kevin Haworth)

    • Happy weekend, everyone.