Friday Finds for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
2

For the weekend: some writing-related reflections, news, and resources to enjoy.

  • One of the highlights of my college education was a creative nonfiction workshop taught by Verlyn Klinkenborg. You can get a sense of Verlyn-as-teacher in this lovely new essay, ““Where Do Sentences Come From?”.
  • Next: Are you ever discouraged by conference/fellowship/residency applications that require letters of recommendation? Cathy Day shares some solid advice.
  • This week brought my latest “First Looks” column for Fiction Writers Review. Go take a peek at the two forthcoming debut novels I’ve spotlighted this month.
  • John Warner reflects on his new “visiting instructor” title (complete with full-time status, benefits, and other pleasures).
  • Those of us interested in freelancing have likely heard about the service known as HARO (Help a Reporter Out). But do we understand how it works?

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

    Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: The Waiting Game

    by Erika Dreifus on
    11

    In an essay I wrote several years ago, I mentioned how in some ways, I’ve been drawn to a life–the writing-and-publishing life–for which I am temperamentally unsuited. And that’s because two of the things I have always found most challenging are these: rejection and waiting.

    As the essay notes, rejection has become much easier with time and experience. But I’m afraid that the patience project is still something more of a work-in-progress. It’s not merely a matter of waiting for the acceptance/rejection decisions. I’m also filled with anticipation (and, sometimes, anxiety) when I know that a new piece has found a home and–yes, after another wait–will be meeting readers.

    At the moment, I have a lot that I’m looking forward to sharing:

  • two book reviews filed, one of which represents my first assignment for the publication;
  • a flash nonfiction piece in the new issue of the lovely Manor House Quarterly. The issue’s theme is “She,” and I expect my contributor copy to arrive soon;
  • a short story (technically, a stand-alone excerpt from my unpublished novel manuscript), to be published in December (online) with another journal I’m a fan of;
  • two guest posts–accepted but awaiting scheduling–for two terrific blogs; and
  • my newest “First Looks” column for Fiction Writers Review, which should, in fact, be posted sometime today.

    • On the anxiety side (mixing in a dash of that good old fear-of-rejection), there’s the AWP proposal I’m waiting to hear about. The Grub Street seminar I’m hoping to fill. And some other things I’ll tell you about as soon as I can.

    I just have to keep working on that patience thing, right?

    What’s notable on your writing-and-publishing horizons? Please share with us, in comments.

    Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    2

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

  • You’ll have to act pretty fast to take advantage of this U.K.-based residency opportunity: “ArtFunkl is delighted to offer the new Scribus series of Residencies for writers or digital media artists. This is part of a long term plan to expand the scope and number of residencies taking place at ArtFunkl, in order to create a more diverse community of connections, both within the ArtFunkl network, and within the environment of the city of Manchester.” The next deadline is August 20. NB: Although there’s no application fee, there IS a studio/room fee of £109 per week.
  • And you’ll need to hurry (deadline is August 15) if you want to apply for one of Salon.com’s assistant editor positions. “These are full-time entry level positions offering benefits and based in New York City. Applicants should… specify an interest in politics, the arts, general news and/or pop culture.”
  • For our Canadian friends: “Hagios Press is now welcoming submission of proposals for manuscripts of literary non-fiction. Hagios Press is asking for samples from book-length of literary nonfiction which could include personal essays, and memoirs. Hagios Press is interested literary non-fiction manuscripts covering a broad range of issues and themes.” Deadline is August 31.
  • In case you missed it, the August issue of The Practicing Writer, which went out to subscribers almost two weeks ago, contains the usual generous helpings of no-fee contest info and paying calls for submissions.
  • “Brooklyn College Community Partnership (BCCP) partners with public high schools and middle schools in the Brooklyn community to offer academic support, college access, social justice, health and wellness and arts-based programs to work with Brooklyn youth. The main hub for BCCP is the Brooklyn College Art Lab (BCAL) located on the Brooklyn College campus. We currently offer workshops in video and new media, visual arts, music, dance, theater and performance, writing, culinary arts, and meditation. Our youth development philosophy and practice is student-centered and dialogue and experience-based. BCCP is offering an open call to hire interdisciplinary teaching artists who have the capacity to facilitate workshops in at least two artistic disciplines. It’s an advantage if one is in media (digital video, photo, web and social media design, or graphic design), but not absolutely necessary.”
  • “Street Poets Inc. is looking for poets/teachers with a deep personal understanding of the transformational healing power of the creative process and a passion for mentoring youth (middle and high school age). The Teaching Artist is responsible for facilitating poetry writing workshops in South Los Angeles area schools on a part-time hourly basis – using the Street Poets curriculum and their own poetry. In addition, the Teaching Artist will be responsible for providing a link from the classroom to the larger Street Poets community.”
  • Salisbury University (Md.) is looking for an Assistant Professor in English (creative writing-fiction) and for an Assistant Professor in English (creative writing-poetry).
  • “The MFA in Writing Program at the University of San Francisco invites applications for a tenure-track position in creative nonfiction at the Assistant Professor level to begin Fall 2013.”
  • From Montclair State University (N.J.): “Opening for a one-year creative writing instructor/assistant professor position in poetry and either creative non-fiction or fiction; secondary interest in contemporary literature or other area appropriate to an English department.”
  • Victoria University (New Zealand) seeks a Lecturer in Creative Writing.

    • Friday Finds for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    6

    For the weekend: some writing-related reflections, news, and resources to enjoy.

  • First up: An assortment of authors’ book-promotion tips. I’m most intrigued by C. Hope Clark’s endorsement of the Square Card Reader, pictured to the left. (You may have seen Square elsewhere in the news this week, too.)
  • Next: “Got an MFA? Teach high school,” advises Nick Ripatrazone.
  • The Kenyon Review interviews George Singleton, on being told to “stick to fiction” in a poetry workshop, and other literary matters.
  • Sam Tanenhaus, who edits The New York Times Book Review, describes a typical workday and exemplary criticism.
  • Roxane Gay presents writers of color.
  • And in case you’ve missed the mentions elsewhere: I’m coming to Boston! And if this seminar on writing conferences, contests, and residencies appeals to you, please join us!

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

    Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Saying Good-bye to The Writer Magazine

    by Erika Dreifus on
    4

    For years, I’ve looked forward to the arrival of The Writer magazine in my mailbox every month. I was a subscriber long before I became a contributor (my first article, “Surviving MFA Critiques,” appeared in the January 2004 issue). It’s fair and accurate to say that I’ve continued to learn at least as much from the magazine as a reader as I’ve given back as a writer and, since 2007, as a contributing editor. But the arrival of the September issue a few days ago was bittersweet, because–at least for now–it’s the last issue that I’ll be writing for.

    As many of you know, The Writer has been around for 125 years. But, as GalleyCat reported on July 26, the magazine will be going on hiatus after the October issue. The company that owns the magazine, Kalmbach Publishing, is looking for a buyer for it.

    I’m going to miss The Writer for many reasons. I’ve already mentioned my long-term commitment to it as a reader. But there’s much more to this particular good-bye.

    I’ve loved working with the magazine’s editors and staff, who have always treated me like the professional writer I’ve aimed to be, and I’ve especially appreciated their enthusiasm for my ideas. It will be odd to attend a conference of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) without heading straight toward The Writer‘s table at the Bookfair to catch up with everyone there. And I’ll miss the team’s sheer good-will and thoughtfulness, exemplified by the group get-well card they mailed after I suffered a major injury in 2009.

    My byline appears three final times in this September issue: for an article on book promotion, for a review of Janet Groth’s The Receptionist, and for a collaborative piece on must-read classic novels. I’m grateful to have the chance to sign off this way, and truly honored to have been part of The Writer‘s history.