Thursday’s Post-Publication Post: Help Me Find a Home for My Essay

by Erika Dreifus on
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Last week, I wrote about this odd phase post-publication in which the promotional work is quieting down, but the new work–the future, in other words–is still only on “simmer.” I’ll stay with that theme for now, because I do have a few things to share (and a favor to ask).

To share: Progress on the summer to-do list front. I have managed to complete a residency application (and both of my wonderful recommenders have submitted their letters, too). I have finished a short story and begun sending it out. And I’m happy to report that Quiet Americans is now available for all of you who prefer to read on the Nook!

I’ve also been tweaking something I’ll go ahead and call an essay. And here’s where I’d love your help.

The piece I’m working on is not a conventional essay. In some ways, it resembles a blog post. Think “5 Reasons I’ll [Do Something Social-Media Related].”

And frankly, it’s not all that “nice.” It’s more like a rant.  Which brings up a whole slew of other issues. Such as: Do I want to risk alienating and/or offending people?

But for the moment, I’d like you to focus on this salient fact: The piece runs 500 words. So it’s too long to qualify as an official “rant” submission for Mslexia, which was the first place I thought to send it.

Can you think of other venues (preferably paying ones) that might be interested in something like this? I know, I’m supposed to be a semi-expert on this sort of thing, but for day job-related and other reasons, my brain is already working overtime right now. So I’d love to hear your suggestions. Thanks in advance!

The Wednesday Web Browser for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
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  • “33 Ways to Be Creative,” courtesy of Kelli Russell Agodon.
  • It’s prime writing conference season. Check out this dispatch from the One Story Summer Writers’ Workshop, and, from the other side of the country, Midge Raymond’s account of her time at the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference.
  • Caroline Leavitt’s blog profiles the Fiction Studio Imprint, which sounds as though it has some things in common with Last Light Studio, the micropress that published my own Quiet Americans.
  • This is great: “5 Things Your Bookseller Wants to Hear When You Propose a Bookstore Event.”
  • And for a change of pace: Help Nina Badzin’s husband name their baby. (All will become clear when you read the post.)

    • Quotation of the Week: David Kirby

    by Erika Dreifus on
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    “All poetry begins as self-expression. But if I only write for myself, who’s going to want to read what I’ve written except me? I tell my students that, at some point, writing stops being self-expression and starts being communication, or it fails. Whether you read me or not, I’m writing for you.”

    –David Kirby

    Source: Kirby’s “Thirteen Things I Hate About Poetry,” in Lit from Within: Contemporary Masters on the Art & Craft of Writing, edited by Kevin Haworth and Dinty W. Moore, a book I finished reading this past weekend.

    Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities

    by Erika Dreifus on
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  • Quick turnaround on this one: “Visual artists, curators, writers and filmmakers can apply for residencies on Fogo Island in 2012 – 2013. Residencies are from 3 to 6 months. Visiting professionals are provided with a studio (work space) and a house to live in. Individuals selected to the program can apply for stipend to cover materials and living costs on the island and for travel (to and from Fogo Island only).” Deadline: July 31, 2011. (I don’t see any application fee, but if I’ve missed it, please let me know.)
  • By this time next week, the August issue of The Practicing Writer will have gone out to all of our subscribers. As usual, it will be filled with no-fee competition listings and news about paying calls for submission. Don’t be left behind! Subscribe now! (It’s free, and email addresses aren’t shared.)
  • “The Puritan is an online, quarterly publication based in Toronto, Ontario committed to publishing the best in new fiction, non-fiction, poetry, interviews, and reviews.” Pays: $50 for a work of fiction or non-fiction, an interview, or a review; $20 for a poem (presumably in Canadian funds). (via placesforwriters.com)
  • From WritersWeekly.com: “Have a Freelance Success Story to share? We pay $40 on acceptance, non-exclusive electronic rights only. Success stories run around 300 words but we’re very flexible. Our guidelines are here: http://writersweekly.com/misc/guidelines.php.”
  • The University of Montana seeks an Editor (half-time), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Sloan School of Management is looking for a Senior Writer and Project Manager, and the University of Oregon is advertising for a Scholastic Journalism Outreach Coordinator.

    • Friday Find: Literary City Guides

    by Erika Dreifus on
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    I’m hoping to have some time this weekend to take a closer look at a new offering on the Poets & Writers website: City Guides.

    Per P&W: “We’ve asked those in the literary community—authors, booksellers, publishers, editors, and the like—to take us on a tour of their city of residence: to the places they go to connect with writers of the past, to the bars and cafés where today’s authors give readings, and to those sites that are most inspiring for writing.”

    Not sure how expansive the guide collection will get, but right now it features guides to Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and Portland (Ore.). V-e-r-y interesting.

    Wherever you are, have a great weekend, and see you back here on Monday.