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Friday Finds for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
5

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

  • A dilemma for lots of writers (yours truly included): how open to be about one’s political beliefs and causes. Here’s Jenna Blum’s take on the matter.
  • Free today (and, I believe, through the weekend, but don’t hold me to that): “13 Ways to Get the Writing Done Faster,” an e-book by Linda Formichelli and Carol Tice. If you follow this blog, you know that I’m always linking to posts on Linda’s and Carol’s blogs.
  • Wise words from Jamie Todd Rubin in this “FAQ: Will You Read My Story/Refer Me To Your Agent/Help Me Write A Query Letter, Etc.?” (thanks to @mabfan for the find).
  • And speaking of wisdom: Roxane Gay explains why writers should be wary of Simon & Schuster’s new self-publishing arm, Archway Publishing.
  • ICYMI: My latest thoughts on “Jewish fiction,” inspired by Tablet Magazine’s new fiction series, over on My Machberet.

    • Enjoy the weekend, all (and, Practicing Writer newsletter subscribers, look for the December issue to arrive imminently). See you back here on Monday.

    Friday Finds for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    1

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

  • Let’s begin with something that’s been making the e-rounds: Philip Roth sets the record straight on the inspiration behind the protagonist in The Human Stain. (You thought the character was based on Anatole Broyard? Think again.)
  • Next up: This interview with Sarah Davies includes some important questions every writer should ask before signing with an agent. (via @occasionallyzen)
  • Ever find yourself facing Twitter-related dilemmas? Thankfully, Nina Badzin will be writing a Writer Unboxed column to help guide and advise you.
  • I don’t know about you, but I’m always fascinated to learn why editors choose a particular piece. In this post, The Kenyon Review‘s David Lynn explains why KR chose Segun Alfolabi’s story “Ezekiel,” which appears in the fall 2012 issue.
  • It’s mid-month, which means it’s time for another installment of the Fiction Writers Review “First Looks” column, where I present intriguing about-to-be published works of fiction.

    • Have a great weekend, all. I’ll be busy celebrating Rosh Hashanah on Monday, but I’ll make sure there’s a post up for you nonetheless.

    Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    4

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

  • First up: News from Tin House magazine: “Starting September 1, Tin House will be reading for Spring and Summer, 2013. The Summer issue is open, non-themed. The Spring issue has a theme of “This Means War.” Conflict is at the heart of all stories, and these days it seems that the world’s major conflicts are portrayed in black and white, good and evil. We’re looking for the grey, the messy, the not-so-easily classified. We’re not just looking for work about armed conflict, but domestic, political, ecological, religious, and moral battles. If there is heat, we want to see the fire. The Spring, 2013 deadline is October 31. The Summer, 2013 deadline is January 14.”
  • Next: Interested in winning a copy of the new edition of the Guide to Literary Agents? Check the link for details.
  • This looks like a useful list for creative-nonfiction writers: book contests and publishers. Note that the contests all seem to charge fees, but many of the publishers appear to welcome submissions fee-free. (Hat tip to Hippocampus Magazine.)
  • Attention, Canadian writers: News about a new fiction prize (no fee indicated). Deadline: October 1.
  • The new academic year brings a wave of academic job announcements: (more…)

    • Friday Finds for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    6

    For the weekend: some writing-related reflections, news, and resources to enjoy.

  • Some thoughtful reflections on and suggestions for “Pushing Through the Perils of Teaching Online.”
  • Lee Gutkind’s recent “Opinionator” piece provides an excellent reminder of the primacy of scenes. (Not surprisingly, Gutkind’s focus here is nonfiction, but frankly, I often find scenes more challenging when I’m writing fiction.)
  • A vicarious trip to the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, courtesy of poet Chloe Yelena Miller. (Reminder: If you may be interested in attending Bread Loaf–or writing conferences more generally–and you live in the Boston area, there’s still time to sign up for this seminar at Grub Street.)
  • Great news from Wordamour (hint: something to do with a literary agent). Congratulations, Steph!
  • And ending on another happy note: a nice development in the story of The Writer magazine.

    • Enjoy the weekend, everyone. It’s a holiday weekend here in the U.S.A., but I’ll bring you a post on Monday nonetheless.

    The Wednesday Web Browser for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    2

    Welcome to the Wednesday collection of gleanings from the Web:

  • Noted by The Cincinnati Review: “We receive about 1,500 poems, stories, and essays a month through our online submission manager, and many of those submissions get read by our staff, who have noticed the following trends. . . .”
  • The latest author to contribute to the “My First Time” column on David Abrams’s wonderful blog is Susan Woodring, describing her first telephone conversation with her agent. (P.S. Huge congrats to David on the selection of Fobbit, his forthcoming novel, for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers program.)
  • Next week will bring the June issue of The Practicing Writer, which will feature a Q&A with Midge Raymond, author most recently of Everyday Writing: Tips and Prompts to Fit Your Regularly Scheduled Life. Right now, you can learn more about the book and enter a giveaway on Goodreads.
  • Speaking of giveaways, there’s also still a bit of time remaining to leave a comment and be eligible for one of our own Short Story Month Collection Giveaway Project offerings.
  • Poet Diane Lockward shares the qualities that draw her to (or repel her from) online literary journals.
  • Who can’t benefit from a refresher course on the comma?