Friday Find: Diane Lockward’s Thoughts On Poetry Book Contests

by Erika Dreifus on
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Diane Lockward has been on both sides of the poetry book contest fence. She has entered many, and she has recently served as a first judge for one. In this post, she shares a number of useful recommendations for contest entrants. Since I’m slowly building up my own poetry practice (and I mean s-l-o-w-l-y), I’ll keep her advice in mind for the long haul. Some of you may be able to apply it sooner!

(Side/related note: Last week, I saw one of my poems, “Pünktlichkeit,” in print in the July-August 2010issue of Moment Magazine. Definitely one of the highlights of my writing life to date. The poem is not currently available online, but I’m pretty sure that when I do have a poetry book manuscript in order, this poem will be part of it. Hat tip to the fabulous Sage Cohen–it was through my work with Sage in her Poetry for the People II class last winter that the poem was born.)

Have a great weekend, everyone, and see you back here on Monday.

Moment Magazine Seeks Features Editor

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

“Moment Magazine seeks an experienced features editor. This editor works closely and collaboratively with other editors and writers to steer Moment’s inventive, well-researched and descriptive articles from story ideas to print. Past articles include a profile of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, the first in a ground-breaking series on Israel’s Arab citizens, a letter from Burma and the 2010 Symposium featuring Mel Brooks, Leonard Nimoy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and many more. The perfect candidate will be a well-rounded, inquisitive, patient, friendly individual who will work tirelessly to turn good ideas into great stories and do much more in our small office. Four-six years of magazine experience. Knowledge of Jewish/Middle East politics, culture, history and religion is helpful. Moment Magazine is a national independent publication of Jewish politics, religion and culture co-founded in 1975 by Elie Wiesel and Leonard Fein. This is a wonderful opportunity to join the team of a magazine Slate calls a ‘must read.’ Salary is competitive with other nonprofit publications and commensurate with experience.” More info/application instructions here.

Friday Finds: Tech Tutorials

by Erika Dreifus on
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This week brought two helpful resources to my tech-challenged self.

First, I present David Pogue’s New York Times article, “For Those Facebook Left Behind.” Some people will surely find it too “basic,” but the article does provide a useful, simple overview of major social-networking sites. “You may find absolutely nothing of value to you in these sites,” Pogue writes, “and that’s fine. But isn’t it better to make that decision now that you know what you’re ignoring?”

Second, Jane Friedman has assembled a lengthy blog post titled “Ultimate iPhone Apps for Writers: 30+ Productivity & Creativity Boosts.” As I mentioned in our latest newsletter, I finally jumped aboard the iPhone bandwagon last winter. I’m still getting to know the “apps” that are out there, and this post is one I’ve bookmarked for future reference.

Have a great weekend, folks. (Oh, and in case any of you are envying me the temporary “summer Friday” freedom from the office job I also referenced in the latest newsletter, envy me not: Since we had Monday off for the Independence Day holiday, everyone in my office is expected in today.)