Looking at Holocaust Literature Anew

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

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Two weeks ago, I attended a panel event, held at the Center for Jewish History here in Manhattan, that helped launch a new book, Holocaust Literature: A History and Guide. And last Friday, my account of that event was posted on the “Well Versed” blog of The Jewish Week, a New York-based newspaper that I subscribe to.

“Looking at Holocaust Literature Anew” is my debut post for Well Versed, and I hope it signals many to come–and perhaps even some bylines within the paper itself. We shall see.

Meantime, here’s the opening of the post:

Definitions can be tricky. Just try to find agreement on what qualifies (or not) as “Jewish literature.”
Perhaps equally arguable: any effort to define “Holocaust literature.”

In their new book, “Holocaust Literature: A History and Guide” (Brandeis University Press), David Roskies and Naomi Diamant propose some striking new terms.

Intrigued? Please keep reading!

(cross-posted on Practicing Writing)

Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: My “Well Versed” Debut

by Erika Dreifus on
4

Unknown
Two weeks ago, I attended a panel event, held at the Center for Jewish History here in Manhattan, that helped launch a new book, Holocaust Literature: A History and Guide. And last Friday, my account of that event was posted on the “Well Versed” blog of The Jewish Week, a New York-based newspaper that I subscribe to.

It’s my debut post for Well Versed, and I hope it signals many to come–and perhaps even some bylines within the paper itself. We shall see.

Meantime, here’s the opening of the post:

Definitions can be tricky. Just try to find agreement on what qualifies (or not) as “Jewish literature.”
Perhaps equally arguable: any effort to define “Holocaust literature.”

In their new book, “Holocaust Literature: A History and Guide” (Brandeis University Press), David Roskies and Naomi Diamant propose some striking new terms.

Intrigued? Please keep reading!

(cross-posted on My Machberet)

Monday Markets for Writers

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).

  • For our friends who are resident in the United Kingdom: “The Jane Martin Poetry Prize…is delighted to invite entries for the 2013 competition. The competition will be judged by experts drawn from across the literary world and academia. We are thrilled that this year the panel will include Gillian Beer and Caroline Bergvall. Building on the success of 2012, the 2013 winner will receive not just a cash prize of £1000, but the opportunity to give a reading at a high-profile poetry event at which the prize will be awarded.” No entry fee. Deadline: March 15, 2013.
  • Based in Canada, “Sterling is a literary journal for everyone’s stories. We accept fiction, poetry and graphic content from writers at all levels. Each issue of Sterling has its own look and feel because we love printed material. It’s also a way to celebrate our ongoing triumphs over the blank page.” Pays: “Contributors can choose between $25 or two copies of the journal.” Submission deadline: March 24, 2013. (via placesforwriters.com)
  • “Oxford University Press and the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University are pleased to announce a call for contributors to the Dictionary of Caribbean and Afro-Latin American Biography (DCALAB).” Pays: “Entries range from 500-2500 words and come with an honorarium of 10 cents per word (in OUP product) or 5 cents per word by check.”
  • From Austin Peay State University (Tenn.): “Applications are invited for the position of Assistant Professor-English with a specialization in Creative Writing-poetry. This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position to begin August, 2013.”
  • The Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University (Mass.) is advertising for a staff writer.
  • The Poetry Foundation (Chicago) is looking for an Editor for Poetry magazine.

    • Friday Finds for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    2

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

  • The New York Times spotlights writing by veterans, and workshops and journals that are supporting it.
  • Recently, Writer Abroad attended TIPE, The Independent Publishing Event in Zurich. “Here are some of the things she learned.”
  • This is getting to be a habit. Every week, it seems, I can’t resist sharing one of Carol Tice’s posts with you. This week’s offering: “The New Freelance Writer’s Quick-and-Simple Guide to Getting Started.”
  • On a related note, check out Don Vaughan’s advice on “5 Ways to Land Freelancing Assignments.”
  • Judging by how often I’ve seen them mentioned this last week, I sense that I should be telling you something about Bookish and Vine. But neither one has grabbed my attention yet (my adoration for The Totally Hip Video Book Reviewer notwithstanding). What am I missing here?

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

    Jewish Literary Links for Shabbat

    by Erika Dreifus on
    2

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

  • Jonathan Gondelman’s thoughtful review of a translation of Hans Keilson’s Life Goes On, in Jewish Ideas Daily.
  • Among the many recent appreciations of Edward I. Koch, my favorites include pieces by two writers I’ve admired for a long time: Jeffrey Goldberg and Thane Rosenbaum.
  • On Tablet, Jew-by-choice Jamaica Kincaid discusses her new book.
  • An intriguing list: “Top 25 Literary Classics About Israel.”
  • Remember this Keshet contest? The contest has produced The Purim Superhero, a new children’s book published by Kar-Ben. See this article from The Jewish Week all about this book featuring Nate, “a Jewish boy with two dads,” and the book’s author, Elisabeth Kushner.

    • Shabbat shalom.