Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Being a Virtual Writer-in-Residence

by Erika Dreifus on
6


The official announcement came on Monday: I’m going to serve as a “Facebook Writer-in-Residence” for the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) during the month of December.

Here’s the text of the full announcement:

Erika Dreifus is our Facebook Writer-in-Residence during the month of December. Erika is the author of QUIET AMERICANS: STORIES, which is a 2012 ALA Sophie Brody Medal Honor Title. The stories in QUIET AMERICANS are based largely on the histories and experiences of Erika’s paternal grandparents, German Jews who immigrated to the United States in the late 1930s; Erika is donating portions of book-sale proceeds to The Blue Card, which supports U.S.-based survivors of Nazi persecution. Additionally, Erika—whose first paying job was serving as a library assistant at her middle school—is a prolific book reviewer and blogger and a passionate advocate for Jewish literature. A regular participant in AJL’s Jewish Book Carnival, Erika will also host the Carnival in December on My Machberet, her blog on matters of Jewish literary and cultural interest. She anticipates an exciting month in discussion with AJL’s Facebook community and welcomes any early questions or suggestions you may have. Please visit her online at www.erikadreifus.com.

More than visiting me online, though, I hope that those of you who want to talk about Jewish books, libraries, and writing will “like” the AJL Facebook page (and be sure to hover over that “Liked” link to ensure that the posts show up in your news feed). That way, you’ll receive my writer-in-residence posts and be able to participate in the discussions throughout the month.

Speaking of–any topics you want to be sure that we cover? Please tell me!

On “Jewish” Writing: Reflections on Tablet Magazine’s New Fiction Series

by Erika Dreifus on
11

As someone who spends a lot of time reading, writing about, and promoting Jewish literature—including, and perhaps especially, Jewish fiction—I’m mystified by the direction that Tablet magazine appears to be taking with its new fiction series.

Tablet, as you may know, bears the trademarked tag line, “a new read on Jewish life,” and describes itself as a “daily online magazine of Jewish news, ideas, and culture.” It’s a magazine that I admire and enjoy; I was delighted when it added original fiction to its mix this fall. But that delight has turned to puzzlement–and a degree of dismay. (more…)

Listen to Etgar Keret Read from “Suddenly, A Knock on the Door”

by Erika Dreifus on
2

On November 15, I had the great pleasure and privilege of attending an event featuring Israeli author Etgar Keret. Held at Baruch College of The City University of New York, the session was titled “The Real and the Imagined: Talk and Reading with Etgar Keret,” and it featured readings from Keret’s latest collection, Suddenly, A Knock on the Door. Directly after the reading, Keret headed to the airport for a flight home to Israel, interrupting his tour to return to be with his family during Operation Pillar of Defense.

A friend had hoped to join me at Baruch, but that didn’t work out. So I took my trusty iPhone–equipped with its iTalk application–along instead. And I recorded the session to share via e-mail with my friend after the fact. (My learning how to e-mail a large audio file could be a story in itself, but I’ll spare you those details.)

The event’s organizer contacted Keret’s agent and asked if it would be OK for me to post the audio publicly. To my delight, the answer is YES!

So, I happily present to you: Etgar Keret. (If you have the new collection and want to follow along as Keret reads from it, you can go ahead bookmark “What Animal Are You?” and “Healthy Start”–both of these stories were translated by Miriam Shlesinger, by the way–before you click here to begin listening.)

NB: I couldn’t upload the file directly to my website–it’s too large. So I’ve attempted to use the file-sharing program that helped me send the file to my friend. I hope it works! (The file will expire on December 25, so please listen soon!)

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).

  • Cha: An Asian Literary Journal has announced a contest for unpublished poems about “Betrayal.” Cash prizes for top three and up to five “high commended” poems. All winning poems will be published in the journal’s March issue. No entry fee. Deadline: January 15, 2013.
  • “The editor of The Buenos Aires Reader is “wide-open to submissions from writers writing in English, whether they are expats or natives, as long as they are describing life in Latin America. Yes, that’s right — you don’t have to just write from, in or about Argentina.” Will consider fiction, non-fiction, poetry, opinion, profiles and interviews. Pays: “USD $25 via PayPal, or ARS $100 in person. Payment is made within a month of publication.” No simultaneous submissions. (via Duotrope.com)
  • From Grub Street, Inc., (Boston): “Thanks to the generous support of our donors, each quarter we offer $200 scholarships to at least five writers. Recipients may use their scholarship at any time in the year. To apply for a Winter 2013 scholarship, please email the following to rowan@grubstreet.org by December 5th at 12pm: a 5-10 page sample of your work, and a one-page letter detailing your financial need and desire to take a Grub Street class. Applicants will hear from the selection committee within one week after the deadline.”
  • Paid, part-time internship opportunity with the Jewish Book Council in New York. Apply by December 17.
  • Coming soon: the December issue of The Practicing Writer. Featuring end-of-year book recommendations and, as usual, a slew of no-cost contests and paying submission calls. Don’t miss it!
  • Guidelines are now available for the NYFA Emergency Relief Fund that I mentioned here last week. Plus, PEN American Center has simplified its Writers Fund application for victims of Hurricane Sandy (grants up to $500).
  • “The Coe College [Iowa] English Department invites applications for a tenure-track appointment in Creative Writing and literature with an emphasis on poetry to begin in August 2013.”
  • Syracuse University (N.Y.) is looking for part-time faculty to teach AAS 338: Creative Writing Workshop. “The course AAS 338: Creative Writing Workshop exposes students to techniques of craftsmanship and use of meditation to expand the visionary experience, and aesthetic sensibilities that involve African American Culture. Students gain their experience through a workshop of poetry and prose.”

    • Talking About Poetry (and Israel) on the Radio

    by Erika Dreifus on
    4

    If you’re reading this before Sunday morning, November 25 (around 9 a.m., Eastern time), you still have time to prepare to catch me on the radio! I’ve been asked to appear on Shalom USA Radio to read my poem, “Questions for the Critics,” and talk a bit about its genesis. I’m looking forward to this opportunity (even if I’m slightly terrified to be broadcasting live). If you want to listen in, you can do so here. Please wish me luck!