Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress

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‘Tis a c-r-a-z-y time, folks.

A lot of that has to do with my job at Fig Tree Books. We’ll be announcing our first list of novels on Monday, September 22. So there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work going on to make that a smooth and successful day.

In the meantime:

  • It appears that one of my essays is going to be recorded and re-presented as an audio piece. I spent some time reviewing edits for that over the weekend. More info to be shared in due course.
  • Although I haven’t yet received my contributor copy, the new edition of Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market is out and includes my contribution on virtual book tours.
  • I’ve started a new poem! (On a related note: I also found out this week that my poetry chapbook had lost yet another contest. But the notice included some really nice, encouraging words about my work.)
  • Bonus: Thanks to one of my former supervisors (hi, Tim!), I’ve discovered this excellent post with stock-image recommendations. The one I chose for today’s “work-in-progress” update appealed to me because, for a few days this past week (for once!), my fingernails looked almost as nice as those of the model in the photo. And that’s because another high point of the past week was my midtown lunch with another former co-worker, followed by a surprise luxury–a free manicure!–at a nearby Duane Reade drugstore. (If you happen to be looking for a new nail color for fall, may I recommend “Dress to Kilt”? It looked fab…while it lasted.)

    Monday Markets for Writers: No Fees, Paying Gigs

    dollar-sign-mdMonday 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). (more…)

    Monday Markets for Writers: No Fees, Paying Gigs

    dollar-sign-mdMonday 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).

  • From Tin House magazine: “We accept submissions September 1 through May 31, and, as always, our summer and winter issues are not themed. We consider each submission for all upcoming issues regardless of theme. If you wish to be considered for a particular theme, please make a note in your cover letter. We have provided suggested deadlines for each theme issue, but please be aware that these fill up fast, so get your theme-issue submissions in as soon as possible.” For the Spring 2015 issue, the theme is “rejection”: “We are looking for fiction, essays, memoir, poems, and interviews about rejecting or being rejected. Rejection of, or rejection by people, animals, organizations, institutions, belief systems, physical locations, a calling—the theme is open to interpretation. Deadline is September 15, publication date March 1, 2015.”
  • The Bay Area Discovery Museum is accepting proposals for its Artist-in-Residence program: “We invite artists – visual artists, musicians, composers, media artists, architects, poets, scientists, dancer/choreographers, writers, builders, naturalists, puppeteers, storytellers, actors, playwrights, etc. – to propose residencies and projects which support and enhance our 2014-2015 arts program. As outlined below, our arts program is based on quarterly themes. We look to the artists to propose how to best engage with these themes, from the type of residency proposed to its duration. Thus, there is no minimum duration for a residency; projects may take place at any time throughout the course of the 3 month theme.” Proposals are due September 15 for residencies to take place between December 2014-February, 2015 (Theme: Land). No application fee. Pays: “Artists-in-Residence will be supported by stipends starting at $1,000, the exact size of which will be determined by the cost of project not to exceed $20,000.”
  • The Sacrifice Anthology Writing Contest seeks “submissions for inclusion in the upcoming inspirational essay anthology – Sacrifice – What Would You Give? Submit a personal essay about someone who sacrificed for you or for someone else, in whatever style you feel best expresses the story. Tell us what was done and how it impacted you or the person who received the benefit of the sacrifice.” Prizes: for first place, $50 and two copies of the anthology and publication; second place, $30 and two copies of the anthology and publication; third place, $20 and two copies of the anthology and publication. No entry fee. Deadline: September 30, 2014. (h/t CRWROPPS-B)
  • (more…)