The Wednesday Web Browser: Katy Lederer, Literary Agents, and the Chicago Scene

The New Yorker profiles Katy Lederer, an Iowa MFA grad who has just published The Heaven-Sent Leaf, “a collection of poetry animated by the idea of the economic bubble.”
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Chuck Sambuchino shares a way to think about “tiers” of literary agents.
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If you’re in the Chicago area, you may want to check out Chicago Scene, the Poetry Center’s new page for listing literary events and readings taking place in and around the Windy City.

The Wednesday Web Browser: When Editors Move On, Pre-Planning for the Freelance Life, and Online Book Promotion

Rachel Toor provides helpful hints on how to handle the horror of your agent/editor “leaving you.”
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Thinking about abandoning the salaried world for the freelance life? Better check out The Urban Muse’s wise suggestions of “10 Things to Do Before You Leave Your Day Job” first.
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Chris Brogan offers tips for promoting your book online. (via The Book Publicity Blog)

Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunties

The Stadler Fellowship at Bucknell University is open to applications until December 6 (there’s no application fee). “Initiated in 1998, the Stadler Fellowship offers a recent MFA, MA, or PhD graduate in poetry the opportunity to receive professional training in arts administration and literary editing. The Stadler Fellowship is designed to balance the development of professional skills with time to complete a first book of poems. The Stadler Fellow assists for twenty hours each week in the administration of the Stadler Center for Poetry and/or in the editing of West Branch, a nationally distinguished semiannual literary magazine. The Fellow also works as an instructor and staff member in the Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets in June. The Fellowship stipend is $20,000. In addition, the Fellow is provided a furnished apartment on campus, office space in the Stadler Center, and health insurance.” Details here.
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Learn about literary agent Abigail Koons (and the submissions she’s looking for), in this interview on the Guide to Literary Agents blog.
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And get to know Algonquin Books editor Chuck Adams in this Poets & Writers profile.
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Sharing Memories from the ’70s with the Kids is the latest contest from the National Association of Baby Boomer Women (NABBW) and GRAND magazine. Prize includes $250 and free membership or renewal in the NABBW, plus publication on the NABBW Web site and in GRAND magazine. No entry fee. Deadline: October 31, 2008. Details: here. (NB: “Men may also submit!”) (via PayingWriterJobs)
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Writer’s Digest is looking for a new editor. See the announcement here.
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And, as always, Monday morning brings a medley of college and university jobs for writers.
Assistant/Associate Professor of Creative Writing (poetry), Roger Williams University (Rhode Island)
Assistant Professor of English (poetry/creative writing), Case Western Reserve University (Ohio)
Assistant Professor of English (creative writing/African-American experience), George Washington University (District of Columbia)
Jenny McKean Moore Writer-in-Washington (poetry), George Washington University (District of Columbia)
Assistant Professor of English (creative writing-fiction or nonfiction), Nebraska Wesleyan University
Visiting Appointment in Creative Writing (poetry), Reed College (Oregon)
Assistant Professor of English (creative writing), North Georgia College & State University
Editorial Director, Northwestern University (Illinois)
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, Washington College (Maryland)

Friday Find: LitMatch

Yesterday I received an e-mail announcing the first anniversary of LitMatch, a site that describes itself as follows:

LitMatch was created to be the largest, most complete, and most up-to-date directory of literary agents and agencies on the Web. Created by writers, for writers, LitMatch offers unique research and submission tracking features designed to help writers of all kinds connect with the people who are best able to help them get published.

Our staff is dedicated to helping writers achieve their goals. Together, they represent over 25 years of experience in designing websites, managing information, and creating online tools.

I discovered LitMatch recently while doing some exploratory agent research for a nonfiction book idea. I liked the search features. I liked the information I found on agents and agencies. I liked the overall design.

I can’t address the site’s submission tracking system because I haven’t used it yet. But I can tell you that the site is worth a visit, especially because you can search and browse some very useful information for free. And if you decide to register with the site before December 31 (also at no cost), you can be eligible for something else: an anniversary giveaway.

Intrigued? Go to LitMatch and check it out.