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Friday Finds for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Treasure ChestWriting-related resources, news, and reflections to read over the weekend.

  • “Little has been written about Langston Hughes the anthologizer, his role as a shaper of African American culture as well as a maker of it.” Elizabeth Alexander’s research helps remedy that gap.
  • Tips for the cover letters that accompany your litmag submissions, courtesy of Ecotone‘s fiction editor.
  • John Fox “interprets” the meaning of litmag submission guidelines and policies (particularly those that pertain to fees).
  • Passing along this message recently received from Rosalie Morales Kearns: “Just wanted to let you know about the recently launched Lake House Collective, a group of feminist writers focusing on reviewing books by women authors–our small part in the larger project of literary good citizenship. The site is at http://lakehousecollective.wordpress.com/.” (Let’s hear it for #litcitizens!)
  • Looking for some guidance to assist your AWP planning? Look no further than this Ploughshares blog post. (Actually, you might look a little further; check out some additional advisory finds mentioned and linked in the latest newsletter from The Review Review and a specialized guide to nonfiction events over on the Brevity blog.)

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

    Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Paying for My MediaBistro AvantGuild Membership (Many Times Over)

    by Erika Dreifus on
    9

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    I don’t know how many of you have purchased MediaBistro AvantGuild memberships or have considered doing so. I bought a membership a number of years ago, and then let it lapse—until last year, when, determined to build up my freelance practice, I renewed it.

    In fact, I purchased a two-year membership (I’m one of those consumers more likely to fall for the discounts offered for long-term commitments!). And late last week, I received a contract—for a personal essay—that will pay for that extended membership multiple times over. (more…)

    Monday Markets for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

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

  • From the American Society of Journalists & Authors: “”The ASJA Educational Foundation is delighted to offer aspiring nonfiction writers the opportunity to apply for scholarships that will enable them to attend ASJA2013, Fire Up Your Writing Career.” Up to 10 scholarships will be awarded for the New York City conference. Deadline is April 1, 2013. No application fee.
  • Flash fiction contest for students. “Cardinal Sins is currently seeking submissions of flash fiction to be included in our regularly scheduled Winter 2013 print edition. We accept work from both emerging and established writers from any undergraduate or graduate institution and from across the nation….The winner will receive $150 and inclusion in the journal. Honorable mentions will also be included.” Theme: “Trespassing.” Deadline: March 25, 2013. No entry fee. (via @Duotrope)
  • “The Jo-Anne Hirshfield Memorial Poetry Awards is a competition open to all adult and high school age Chicago area poets.” Three prizes ($100/$50/$25) in adult category (same for high school category). Deadline: March 8, 2013. No entry fee. (via WinningWriters.com)
  • Extended deadline: “The Scripps College Writing Program seeks two distinguished visiting writers for the Mary Routt Endowed Chair of Writing, one during the spring semester of 2014 and the other during the spring semester of 2015. The successful candidates will serve as Mary Routt Chair of Writing throughout the spring semester (from mid-January to mid-May). Teaching responsibilities include one writing workshop in the area of his or her choice as well as a presentation of his or her work at two public events. We are looking for candidates with critical recognition consistent with a writer of national reputation; we prefer candidates who can show evidence of outstanding teaching ability.”
  • The 2013 Paterson Fiction Prize confers a $1000 award for a novel or collection of short fiction published in 2012. Deadline: April 1, 2013. No entry fee.
  • Stay tuned for the March issue of The Practicing Writer, coming your way by week’s end.

    • Friday Finds for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    Treasure ChestWriting-related resources, news, and reflections to read over the weekend.

  • I agree that “said is NOT dead,” but I’m likely to cut other writers (and myself) a little more slack for dialogue tags. In other words, I won’t declare that “said” must be the tag of choice 99 percent of the time. 92 percent, maybe. I’m also a fan of tagless dialogue (as when it’s obvious who’s speaking).
  • Diane Lockward wonders if this writing scam might work on someone. (Let’s hope not!)
  • The Ploughshares blog rounds up some excellent advice on getting published.
  • Helpful hints for planning a virtual book tour.
  • A very good Twitter tutorial (aimed toward journalists, but I think that most of us can benefit).

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

    Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Updated Eponymous Guide to Literary Contests and Competitions

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    By now, many of you know that I’m into the tenth year of publishing a free monthly newsletter for writers. Titled “The Practicing Writer,” the newsletter has evolved over time to include ONLY no-fee competitions and paying calls for submissions, plus other news and resources for writers of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. (Read the current issue.)

    Over the years, I’ve offered new newsletter subscribers an exclusive benefit: a guide to “eponymous literary contests and competitions.” I’ve previously titled this guide “From (A)lgren to (Y)eats.” But in the latest update–which I concluded a few days ago–I decided that, in keeping with my newsletter policies, I should limit the contests and competitions listed in the guide to opportunities that don’t charge fees. Sadly, I can’t find any Yeats-related contest that is also fee-free. So this edition of the guide brings a title change: “From (A)lgren to (W)illiams.”

    The guide goes out automatically to new subscribers, but the file is available to current subscribers as well. (NB: If you’re a newsletter subscriber but you have trouble accessing the file, please read this for advice. I hope that will help!)

    UPDATE, 8:00 AM: I can’t help but wonder if this post, which went live shortly after midnight, is what attracted the attention of the nefarious hacker who evidently hacked into my Yahoo! account a few hours ago. In any case, I apologize profusely for any nasty messages any of you have received from “me.” Hopefully, the situation has been remedied. Thank you for your understanding.