Erika Dreifus

Didn’t want to wait until the next “Markets/Jobs/Opportunities” round-up to post this! One of my favorite magazines, The Sun, is looking for freelance manuscript readers. “This is an ideal job for someone who loves to read and can provide insightful written evaluations of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.” You must be able to work 10-20 hours/week at home and make “at least a two-year commitment.” The Sun is based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and you must be local to apply. (NB: The Sun is also looking for a full-time circulation assistant. Find information on both positions and application instructions here.)

Just sent the March newsletter out yesterday, so I’m taking a bit of a breather as far as the writing-and-publishing-information-and-resources are concerned. Instead, I thought I’d indulge in one of the Internet “quizzes” I saw popping up throughout the academic blogosphere last week. I’m not sure what to make of my own result (since it likens me to the one spice I never use). But that shouldn’t stop you from going ahead and discovering yours. Enjoy, and have a good weekend.

You Are Black Pepper

You may be considered ordinary by some, but you’re far from boring. You elevate the mood of any discussion, and people miss you when you’re not around. You are secretly very dominant and powerful. Most can only take you in small doses.

A few days ago a commenter left these remarks here:

Thanks for all of the info you generously share in your blog. Are you willing to expound on the benefits of going to the AWP conference, particularly for someone coming from the west coast? I have a spot, but debating if it is actually valuable enough to warrant the expense and time. Thanks for any thoughts — I don’t know anyone else who is involved enough to ask.

I promised to respond, and now I’m going to. I’ll try to keep my comments general, in part because I don’t know the person who posted the request so I have no idea what her writing background may be, and in part so I’ll (hopefully) have something useful to offer everyone else who reads this.

1) First, you can find many more comments (including some from me) about AWP (past and present) within the Poets & Writers Speakeasy. Here is one thread and here is another. You will need to register (no charge) to access the posts.

2) Similarly, you can search this blog for timely posts about my most recent AWP experiences. You’ll find some here, here, here, here, and here.

3) In my view, one of the best–if not the best–aspect of AWP is the Bookfair. Essentially, the Bookfair is an exhibition hall featuring literary journals, independent presses, and creative writing programs of all stripes (MFA, conferences, literary centers, etc.). Think candy store for “literary” writers (I’m only half-joking about that–many booths and tables beckon with free candy as well as discounted books and subscriptions). Editors and publishers show up en masse. It’s a chance to actually meet some of the people to whom you may be sending your work. Pick up sample copies, catalogs, calls for submission (and, again, candy).

4) The panels and readings are numerous. And sometimes, they’re truly inspirational. Chances are you’ll have trouble deciding between concurrent events that interest you. Sometimes (and I fear this may be the case this year), some events are far too crowded for those of us who like our personal space. On the other hand, it’s an amazing opportunity to hear from “big names.” (And if you’re looking for a program, you may well be able to observe some of the faculty “at work” via panels and readings as well.)

5) This year, obviously, you also have the chance to visit New York. For some people, that alone would be a draw.

6) The first year attending an AWP can be intimidating, especially for someone who isn’t necessarily fond of “networking” (that would be me!). I have to say, though, that I’ve met some wonderful people at past conferences, and now I look forward to seeing them each year. Again, this year’s anticipated hordes may be so crushing–and so full of mass populations coming from individual MFA programs and so forth–that a “newbie” may feel isolated. If you prefer more “nurturing” environments, AWP isn’t necessarily going to do it for you.

7) And finally–I can’t leave this out–I’ve been much happier at AWP in recent years/locations where the smokers (remember, this is a writing conference) have been barred from the hotel bars/restaurants. New York gets a thumbs-up from me in this respect, too.

Anyone else with AWP insights to share? Please contribute, in comments.

Even before I received a request in comments yesterday to participate in The Generous December Writing Group Project, I’d planned to dedicate today’s post to my sister’s own eloquent write-up about an organization on whose board she serves: The Blue Card. My sister said everything better than I could, so I’m going to quote her post in its entirety:

Since it’s the season for giving as well as receiving, I’d like to tell you about two non-profit organizations here in New York which are close to my heart (I serve on the board of each). The first one (I’ll post about the 2nd one soon) is The Blue Card, an organization I learned about from my late grandparents (they were the “original” R & S, and my children are named in their memory). They escaped Nazi Germany at the last minute in the late 1930s and met and married here in NYC. They arrived penniless and The Blue Card- established in 1934- helped Jewish refugees just like them. These immigrants faced enormous challenges in building new lives, but did so with a deep appreciation for their freedoms. To this day, The Blue Card serves the needs of Holocaust survivors and refugees from Nazi persecution, a group of elderly people whose needs skyrocket as they age. Many Blue Card clients live at or below the poverty level, and cash grants from the Blue Card pay for things as simple as groceries, eyeglasses, and transportation to and from doctors’ appointments. Many of them suffer mental health problems such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder triggered by the events of 9/11.

I have proudly served on the Board of The Blue Card for four years now, and I take seriously the job of spreading the word about this small but outstanding organization. I do this especially in memory of my grandparents, and especially on a day today- the 1st night of Hanukkah- when I am lucky enough to have the freedom to celebrate the holiday with my own “R & S”.

Please take a moment to visit The Blue Card and learn about how you can help. Happy Hanukkah.

Those of you who know this practicing writer and my writing know how much my grandparents meant to me and how much they’ve inspired my work. So there you have it: My contribution to The Generous December Writing Group Project is The Blue Card.