Friday Find: The April Practicing Writer Newsletter

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

The April issue of our newsletter, The Practicing Writer, went out to subscribers on Tuesday evening. So for the past several days, poets, fictionists, and writers of creative nonfiction have been able to peruse and pursue all of the no-cost writing contests and competitions and paying calls for submission included within. They’ve also been able to read the feature interview with Sage Cohen and enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

If you’re not yet a subscriber, you can see the current issue for yourself right here. But I hope that you’ll take a moment and subscribe. I consider the newsletter a sort of service to the literary community, and the more people it reaches regularly, the better (in my view!). Subscriptions are free, and we don’t distribute email addresses. We don’t take advertising, and we don’t list fee-charging competitions or nonpaying publications. (Plus, new subscribers receive a complimentary contest guide!)

Look over to the right-hand side of the screen for a subscription box. Thank you.

Happy reading, and happy weekend. See you back here on Monday!

Thursday’s Post-Publication Post: The Kindle Version Is Here! And I’m Giving Two Copies Away!

by Erika Dreifus on
9

Was it only two weeks ago that I was blogging about the Quiet Americans ebook conversion? That post generated so many helpful comments–thank you again! (Please click here to see the price that was ultimately selected.)

Yes, just two weeks later, the Kindle version of Quiet Americans is complete and available! And to celebrate, I’m going to offer two “gift” copies to you, dear readers.

To enter this giveaway, please comment below, with a suggestion or piece of advice to help me promote this new version of the book. (Promoting a print book is something I think I can do; I’m less confident about the promoting the ebook.)

The trusty random number generator will select our two winners, but please don’t let that stop you from offering the very best advice you can! You can comment right up to 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

Good luck, and thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions. I truly appreciate them!

The Wednesday Web Browser for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled
  • If you review translated books, you’ll be interested in these thoughts from prominent literary translators. (via the German Book Office)
  • Speaking of reviewing, get to know critic Ron Charles, aka “the Totally Hip Video Book Reviewer.”
  • Check out this sneak preview of Silver Sparrow, the next novel by Tayari Jones.
  • While we’re talking fiction: Jacob Appel suggests “10 Ways to Start Your Story Better.”
  • Yet another set of excellent tips for freelancers from Kelly James-Enger.
  • Another week, another worthwhile writing prompt from Midge Raymond.
  • Photos (by Anthony Buccino) of the women poets who took part in last Saturday’s “Girl Talk” poetry reading in West Caldwell, N.J. (yours truly included). Many thanks again to Diane Lockward for organizing the event.
  • Want to see something else that’s pretty cool? My fellow Last Light Studio author, Jane Roper, has just launched the website for her novel, Eden Lake. (Kind of makes you realize what a summer hit it’s going to be, doesn’t it?)

    • Quotation of the Week: Billy Collins

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    “I have no work habits whatsoever. I don’t write every day, so often it would be zero hours per day. I kind of hold onto a romantic view. People say in order to be a writer you have to write all the time. The poem will come along when it arrives. I try to be on the lookout for creative opportunities, something that might trigger a poem, but I don’t sit down in the morning and try to commit an act of literature before lunch.”
    –Billy Collins

    Source: The Writer’s Almanac

    Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled
  • “Best Fiction is an online publication of brilliant stories by new, emerging writers alongside the work of established authors.” Pays: “a minimum honorarium of $25 US for first electronic and print publication rights,” though “established authors may negotiate a fee for their stories.” (via Duotrope.com)
  • It’s almost April. You know that that means. A new issue of The Practicing Writer, packed with additional no-cost competitions and paying calls for submission. If you’re not yet a subscriber, sign up to receive your copy right in your inbox. No charge, and we keep email addresses confidential. More info here.
  • If you’re the author of a recent book, and you were born or are currently residing in Washington state, your work may be eligible for the Washington State Book Awards. “The winners of the Washington State Book Awards will be celebrated at a special event held in their honor in the fall. Each author, as well as the illustrator of the children’s picture book, will receive a $500 honorarium, thanks to the sponsorship of The Seattle Public Library Foundation.” There is no entry fee. Deadline: April 1.
  • Scholarship opportunity: “The Writer’s Center [Bethesda, Md.] is pleased to open its Call For Applications for the 2012 Undiscovered Voices Scholarship. The Writer’s Center seeks promising writers earning less than $25,000 annually to apply. This scholarship program will provide complimentary writing workshops to the selected applicant for a period of one year, but not to exceed 8 workshops in that year (and not to include independent studies). We expect the recipient will use the year to make progress toward a completed manuscript of publishable work.” In addition to free workshops, the winner “will give a reading from his or her work at the close of the scholarship period (June 2012) and will be invited to speak with local high school students on the craft of writing.” There is no application fee. Deadline: July 1.
  • Also from The Writer’s Center: a new first-novel prize.  “Thanks to the generosity of board member Neal P. Gillen, The Writer’s Center is pleased to announce that it will award $500 annually to the author of the best first novel published during a given calendar year. Conceived and funded by Gillen, the McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns Prize honors three dedicated writers and members of The Writer’s Center faculty–Ann McLaughlin, Barbara Esstman, and Lynn Stearns–each of whom unselfishly nourish and inspire students and fellow writers.” There is no entry fee indicated. Deadline: July 15.
  • “The Literature Program at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey invites applications for a one-year, full-time Visiting Instructor/Assistant Professor position, beginning Fall 2011. Candidate must be able to teach a multi-genre introduction to creative writing course as well as upper-level workshops in Fiction.
  • Poets & Writers, Inc., (NYC) is looking for a Development & Marketing Associate, Harvard Medical School (Boston) seeks a Writer/Editor, and The Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore) plans to hire a Senior Writer (requisition #47391).