Friday Finds for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
2

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

  • Many congratulations to Stephanie Vanderslice on being named Arkansas Professor of the Year. (If you didn’t catch our Q&A with Stephanie regarding her recent book, Rethinking Creative Writing in Higher Education: Programs and Practices that Work, it’s archived here.)
  • A big thank-you to The Kenyon Review for posting audio of Elie Wiesel’s acceptance speech on November 8, when he received the 2012 Kenyon Review Award for Literary Achievement.
  • Agree with the idea that the Internet has become a realm of (too much) niceness? Roxane Gay suggests that you think again.
  • I’m still laughing over this McSweeney’s item: Raymond Carver’s OKCupid profile, edited by Gordon Lish.
  • Like many of you, I’ve got Alice Munro’s latest, Dear Life, on my tbr list. Munro’s Q & A with The New Yorker‘s Deborah Treisman only increased my interest.

    • Have a great 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.

  • On the occasion of the publication of Herman Wouk’s latest novel, Adam Kirsch revisits Wouk’s major writings and career.
  • A big thank-you to The Kenyon Review for posting audio of Elie Wiesel’s acceptance speech on November 8, when he received the 2012 Kenyon Review Award for Literary Achievement.
  • Paid, part-time internship opportunity with the Jewish Book Council in New York. Apply by December 17.
  • Further thoughts stemming from Philip Roth’s retirement announcement, from Jason Diamond and D.G. Myers.
  • Right after his November 15 reading at Baruch College, Etgar Keret headed home to Israel. Shortly thereafter, it seems, he wrote this.
  • This week was, again, a time when I (to paraphrase a rabbi friend) thought often of our cousins in the East. To stay informed, I relied extensively on The Times of Israel, Tablet, Jeffrey Goldberg, and the URJ’s Israel page.

    • Shabbat shalom to all. And special thanks to RJ.org for publishing my poem, “Questions for the Critics,” on Tuesday.

    Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Giving Thanks

    by Erika Dreifus on
    2

    As we begin the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S., I just want to pause and thank all of you for being part of this writing life of mine–and reading these posts.

    I know that some of you end up here on the blog when you click through Facebook updates. But I also know that Facebook has been playing around with the algorithms and that lately, lots of updates are only reaching a fraction of each page’s “fans.” You’ve probably seen this message before, but I’m going to repeat it here (instead of on Facebook, where, it seems to me, the people who might most appreciate reading it won’t see it at all!). It’s this:

    1. Please go to the fan page, or others that you’d especially like to get updates from.
    2. Click on the “Liked” button under the cover photo.
    3. Activate the “Show in News Feed” option; you should then continue to receive all the updates you want.

    (Many thanks to CoolMomTech for the simple instructions I’ve modified here.)

    Now, enjoy the holiday. And, truly, THANK YOU.

    Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities 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).

  • Launching this week: the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Emergency Relief Fund. “The Andy Warhol Foundation, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and Lambent Foundation (a project of the Tides Center) have established an Emergency Relief Fund, administered by NYFA to assist artists with damages and losses as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Eligible artists can be working in any discipline and reside in Connecticut, New Jersey or New York. Damages are broadly defined and include, but are not limited to: damage to physical work; damage to homes/studios/other facilities; loss of equipment or supplies; loss of income, and reimbursement for cancelled performances/appearances/engagements. We anticipate the overwhelming majority of grants will range between $1,000 and $5,000, but there may be extraordinary circumstances in which slightly smaller or larger grants might be made.” Applications will be made available on November 21.
  • “Bethesda Magazine and the Bethesda Urban Partnership are partnering to sponsor a short story and essay contest.” Cash prizes, publication, and other goodies will be awarded in each genre (and for high-school age writers and writers 18 and over “and finished with high school”). There’s no entry fee, and the deadline is January 25, 2013. Note that essay submissions (500 words, maximum) may come from writers resident in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC; short-story submissions (4,000 words, maximum) are limited to residents of Montgomery Country, Maryland, and Upper NW, DC (ZIP codes 20015 and 20016).
  • From the U.K.: “Booktrust is looking for paid freelance reviewers to write book recommendations for our site on books from contemporary fiction to Young Adult fiction to crime to translated fiction to short stories to non-fiction. We cover a wide range of books.”
  • “Mediabistro is looking for a dynamic, spirited instructor to teach a food blogging class online this March. Class meets over 6 weeks and will teach students how to design, promote, and maintain a blog dedicated to food.” (NB: Site registration required to view full ad.)

    • Please keep reading for college-level teaching jobs. (more…)

    Friday Finds for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

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

  • I was very sorry to learn of the passing of Isaiah Sheffer, whose voice has welcomed me into so many memorable “Selected Shorts” broadcasts.
  • Superb submission advice from Michelle Seaton.
  • Nina Badzin is celebrating her blog’s second birthday with a slew of prizes. (The blog is instructive and fun, and I love visiting/reading, so I recommend that you go over there even if you aren’t interested in the books, barres, or blogging consultation that Nina is offering.)
  • You’ve likely heard the news: Philip Roth is done with writing! Eitan Kensky reads Roth’s declaration more closely.
  • And ICYMI: my November “First Looks” column, posted this week, previews two new fiction releases.

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