Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Yom Kippur Edition

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Frankly, it’s not possible for me to post about “work” today, when I am observing Yom Kippur. I am writing this post several days in advance, and I’ll schedule it to post on Wednesday, but I can’t quite bring myself to write about “work” for a post that will appear on Yom Kippur.

Rather, and in the spirit of sharing how Yom Kippur (and the High Holy Days more generally) have inspired some of my past writings (as I mentioned last week), I’d like to share a bit more about the holiday with you.

I’ll point you to this wonderful collection of resources on Yom Kippur compiled by the Union for Reform Judaism. One of my favorite finds here is the “Music for the Holy Days” playlist from Temple Emanu-El here in New York City. If you care to take a listen, and the music is new to you, may I signal my favorites–“Avinu Malkeinu” and “Kol Nidre”–to begin? I’m always powerfully moved by the music of the Holy Day services. I suspect that regardless of your faith, something about this music will touch you, too.

Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
3

Monday brings the weekly batch of no-fee competitions/contests, paying submission calls, and gigs for those of us who write (especially those of us who write fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction).

  • First up: Gotham Writers’ Workshop has launched a “91-Word Memoir Writing Contest.” This contest “celebrates longtime Gotham student and friend Norma Crosier, who died in July five days shy of her 91st birthday….She embraced the principle of memoir – that it is not the story of the writer’s entire life, but rather one story among many.” Prizes: “The winner will receive a 10-week workshop, $91 cash, and bragging rights.” Enter by October 15, 2012. No entry fee.
  • North Carolinians (and Google analytics tell me that there are plenty of you visiting this blog!), you still have time to submit short fiction for the 2012 NC State Short Story Contests. This year’s contests will be judged by Tony Earley. Cash prizes. No entry fees. Deadline: October 1, 2012.
  • Are you a college student with an unpaid editorial internship in NYC in the works? You may be eligible for a nice “trust fund” grant of $1,200. Get to know Ed(2010), and do it quickly. The deadline is October 9. There is no application fee.
  • Coming soon: the October issue of The Practicing Writer. If you’re not yet a subscriber, please join us!
  • “The Department of English at Stephen F. Austin State University [Texas] seeks applications for a tenure-track assistant professor of creative writing….We are primarily looking for a fiction writer with a secondary interest in nonfiction.”
  • “The Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, seeks an instructor of Creative Writing with a specialization in Fiction….Courses will include introduction to creative writing (dual genre, poetry and fiction) and intermediate fiction courses (both in the classroom and online).”
  • “The University of Memphis seeks applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Fiction Writing position….An interest in teaching a survey course in literature is desirable, as are publications in poetry that would allow flexibility in staffing. Literary journal experience is welcome.”
  • From George Washington University (Washington): “For appointment beginning in the fall of 2013, we seek a tenure-track assistant professor. The position is open to a poet; strong preference will be given to applicants with a secondary interest, and publications, in creative nonfiction….We strongly encourage applicants whose writing engages African American experiences, or whose writing engages other minority experiences, such as Latino/a, Asian American, indigenous, post colonial, lgbt, or disability experiences.”
  • Columbia University Libraries (New York) seeks a Communications and Marketing Coordinator, it seems that the Los Angeles Times is looking for a Deputy Books Editor (h/t @RonCharles), and Atlantic Media Company (Washington) is advertising for a Staff Writer/Reporter.

    • Friday Finds for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    2

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

  • First up: “Three Stories Unlikely to Make it Beyond the Slush”–at least at Indiana Review.
  • Next: I’m hoping to set aside some time soon to dig into The Open Notebook’s Pitch Database. It looks like a great way to see how other nonfiction writers–specifically, science writers–have successfully pitched features to major magazines and newspapers. (A tip of the hat to the member of the Upod group who shared this resource with the rest of us in response to another list member’s question.)
  • Let’s continue with some thoughts about poetry and our contemporary “mass-submission culture.”
  • And speaking of poetry: What are some of your favorite opening lines?
  • Among the highlights of the current issue of WOW! Women on Writing (which has a “Freelance Writing” theme) is this Q&A with Carol Tice, of “Make a Living Writing” fame.

    • Have a great weekend, everyone. As you read this, I’m already enjoying a mini-vacation in New England. See you back here on Monday.

    Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Out of the Archive

    by Erika Dreifus on
    2

    Apples and honey are traditionally eaten at Rosh Hashanah to help usher in a sweet New Year.

    For Jews, this is a very special time of year. As I sat in Rosh Hashanah services on Monday, and my 9-year-old niece commented on one of the more remarkable moments in the Holy Day liturgy–the Unetenah Tokef–I was reminded again of an essay I wrote many autumns ago that is grounded in that liturgy. It’s an essay I’ve shared here on the blog before. But this seems to be an appropriate time to share it again.

    I hope that you enjoy it.

    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 gigs for those of us who write (especially those of us who write fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction).

  • First up: Washington City Paper is planning a fiction issue and is “looking for previously unpublished stories that are in some way of and about the District.” Contributors will be paid. Deadline: November 1, 2012.
  • Next: “Harper Voyager, HarperCollins’ science fiction and fantasy imprint, will accept complete and unagented manuscripts for two weeks. rom October 1 until October 14, authors from around the world can send their manuscripts….” Find out more at GalleyCat.
  • New contest! The Financial Times/Bodley Head Essay Prize is “aimed at attracting future talent in long-form essay writing from around the world. Open to writers [over 18 and] up to the age of 35, the competition offers a £1,000 prize for the winning entry as well as an e-publication with the Bodley Head and a mentoring session with an FT or Bodley Head writer….Judges will consider dynamic, authoritative and lively essays of no more than 3,500 words. In keeping with the ethos of both sponsors essays can address any topic – from finance to history, current affairs or scientific discovery – the key component being quality writing.” Deadline is November 18, 2012. No entry fee.
  • Two new calls from Descant magazine (Canada). One is for an issue that will feature “graphic literature” (“cartooning”), with a deadline of June 7, 2013. The other is for an issue themed “Berlin,” with a deadline of August 16, 2013. “If accepted, it may take Descant up to 12 months to publish accepted works (occasionally longer, often shorter). Descant pays a $100 honourarium upon publication.”
  • Emory University Creative Writing Fellowship (Atlanta): “Two-year fellowship in poetry in lively undergraduate English/Creative Writing Program, beginning fall 2013. Load 2-1, all workshops; $30,000 salary, and health benefits. Required: MFA or Ph.D in last five years, with Creative Writing teaching experience. Desirable: record of publication, and secondary interests, such as creative nonfiction and working in archives. Fellows will give a public reading and have access to the Raymond Danowski Poetry Library, a 75,000-volume rare and modern poetry library housed at Emory.” Deadline: November 16, 2012.
  • Northern Michigan University is advertising for an Assistant Professor, tenure-track position in creative writing: fiction “The ideal candidate will have a strong secondary emphasis in screenwriting and/or playwriting.”
  • “The Department of English at Coastal Carolina University invites applications for a tenure-track position in fiction at the Assistant Professor level. Our growing department seeks an experienced instructor with a fiction writing background to teach graduate-level classes in the M.A. in Writing program, undergraduate fiction workshops, introductory creative writing, and first-year composition. The new hire will also have the opportunity to work on Waccamaw, the department’s award-winning literary journal.”
  • Georgia College & State University is looking for an Assistant Professor of English (Creative Writing). “We seek a writer who has published at least one book of literary fiction and has additional publications in at least one other genre.”
  • Wright State University (Ohio) is advertising for a tenure-track assistant professor in Creative Writing (Poetry). “Preferred: secondary teaching interest and publication in creative non-fiction. Candidates with substantial graduate-level work in Disability Studies, Gender Studies, Postcolonial literature, or African-American literature are encouraged to apply.”
  • The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, a not-for-profit statewide educational granting agency, is seeking an associate editor for both Louisiana Cultural Vistas, the Endowment’s quarterly arts and culture print magazine, and KnowLA, the Digital Encyclopedia of Louisiana (www.knowla.org).