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Friday Finds for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

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

  • Let’s start with an important question, raised this time in the context of Michael Chabon’s latest novel: “Can a white author write black characters?” Tanner Colby says yes. (via Page-Turner)
  • Next: Poet Mark Doty describes “the hardest job in publishing: editing an anthology.”
  • What happens when writers don’t finish the job they’ve contracted to do? For some authors who received advances from Penguin–for books they ultimately didn’t deliver–the answer is now: lawsuits. (via Publishers Lunch)
  • Definitely worth reading: Cathy Day’s “next big thing” is Literary Citizenship.
  • Last, but by no means least (and, I believe, very much in the spirit of literary citizenship): Many of you know that I’ve been part of the Fiction Writers Review community for some time. FWR is currently undertaking a writing-focused fundraiser (“The Great Write Off”). I’m not able to participate as fully as I’d like to right now, but I *have* made a contribution to support the overall project. If you’ve ever appreciated any of the content on the FWR site, perhaps you’ll consider doing the same. Thank you!

    • 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.