Friday Finds for Writers

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

  • Another reality check for aspiring freelance writers, courtesy of Carol Tice.
  • Warning: You might want to avoid using these words and phrases in your work.
  • “Which publishing option is right for you?” This quiz may help you figure that out.
  • If you’re contemplating an event proposal for the 2014 conference of the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP), you have until May 1 to get that proposal in.
  • Some tips on finding free, quality photos for your blog. (via Lisa Romeo)
  • Have a great weekend, everyone. See you back here on Monday!

    Friday Finds for Writers

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

  • She had me at hello. Here’s the first line from Rebecca Meacham’s recent guest post for the Ploughshares blog: “First, a confession: I’m lousy at prioritizing fiction writing.
  • Another thoughtful post from Cathy Day, this time on the topic of “professionalization” and creative-writing programs.
  • Lots of good stuff in this Rumpus interview with author and editor Matthew Salesses.
  • Should undergraduates attend the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) conference? Interesting reflections (and experiences) on The Missouri Review‘s blog.
  • Courtesy of The Review Review: differing views on litmag submission fees.
  • Have a great weekend. See you back here on Monday.

    Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Five Highlights from AWP 2013

    AWPOn Saturday, I caught an early-morning train up to Boston and spent a lovely afternoon and evening at the annual conference of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference. I was not a conference presenter; I was not a Bookfair exhibitor; I did not even register for the conference this year. But a wonderful (and generous) writer friend offered me a place to crash, so I decided to take advantage the event’s relative proximity to New York (and the complimentary Bookfair access granted to the public for Saturday only).

    As always, the time I spent catching up with friends–including folks I’ve met through previous AWP conferences and typically see only in those settings–was the absolute best part of being there. But here are five other highlights from my whirlwind visit: (more…)

    Friday Finds for Writers

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

  • People have been talking this week about freelancer Nate Thayer’s post, “A Day in the Life of a Freelance Journalist.” You can read an example of the discussion here. See also Jane Friedman’s take on “The State of Online Journalism Today: Controversial.”
  • Also a popular topic (at least among the folks that I follow on Twitter): Alex Nazaryan’s confession regarding a certain “bitterness” in his book reviews. Julia Keller’s piece on “The Reviewer Reviewed” has attracted far less attention (at least as far as I can tell), but for me, it’s at least equally important and instructive for those of us who write reviews and criticism in addition to our “own” writing.
  • Amen, sister! That’s my response to Writer Abroad’s “9 Things Not to Do as a Writer.”
  • In case you haven’t heard, there’s a little event for writers taking place in Boston at the moment. And in case you can’t be there in person (I’m popping in for a grand total of 23 hours starting midday tomorrow), you can always follow the Tweets!
  • Have a great weekend everyone. See you back here on Monday.

    Monday Markets for Writers

    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).

  • Big news from Barrelhouse: “It’s been a dream of ours since we started Barrelhouse in 2005, so we’re proud to announce that beginning with issue 12, Barrelhouse will pay contributors $50 each, along with contributor copies….We hope this marks the beginning of a new chapter for Barrelhouse and we hope you’ll join us. When the time is right, send us your best stuff (we’re open right now for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and a special comedy issue). Come get your fifty big ones!”
  • Wesleyan Writers Conference Scholarships & Fellowships have a deadline of March 22, 2013 (received). There is no application fee; “if you are certain you will attend the Conference, however, do send the $75 deposit and registration form immediately, before completing the rest of your application. The deposit guarantees you a place at the Conference if you should not win an award.”
  • “Lake Forest College [Ill.] seeks a writer of fiction to fill a three-year visiting (non-tenure track) position in the English Department teaching courses in creative writing and developing courses in the design, production, and publication of books and journals.”
  • (more…)