Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

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, news from Gold Wake Press regarding its print series: “We are interested in expanding our catalog with drama, mixed genre works, & novels/novellas. We are ONLY open to these at the current time.”
  • Next: “The online literary journal http://www.anderbo.com is looking for a reader/screener for its 2012 Open City Magazine No-Fee RRofihe Trophy Short Story Contest @ Anderbo http://www.anderbo.com/anderbo1/no-fee-rrofihe-trophy2012.html now in its 9th year. This is a part-time, online, paying position. A recent winning story can be read @http://www.anderbo.com/anderbo1/afiction-057.html.” (The position, advertised on craigslist, pays $20/hour; if you’re more interested in entering the contest than reading/screening for it, the deadline is December 31, 2012.)
  • If you’re already familiar with Duotrope—”a resource for writers that offers an extensive, searchable database of current fiction, poetry, and non-fiction markets, a calendar of upcoming deadlines, submissions trackers (for registered users), and useful statistics compiled from the millions of data points we’ve gathered on the publishers we list”—take a look at the sleek redesign. And if you’re not yet familiar with Duotrope, now’s a perfect time to take a look.
  • “The New Writers Project, the MFA program of the Department of English at The University of Texas at Austin, seeks applications for a distinguished faculty position as Associate Professor with tenure in Creative Writing- Poetry to begin Fall 2013.”
  • “The English Department at the University of San Francisco invites applications for a tenure-track position in poetry at the Assistant Professor level to begin Fall 2013.”
  • “Ursinus College [Penn.] invites applications for a one semester position of Science Writer in Residence for fall 2013 (8/26/13 to 12/13/13).” Review of applications begins October 1.
  • Urban Land magazine (Washington) seeks an Online Editor, North American Media Group (Minnetonka, Minn.) seeks a Senior Editor for the Cooking Club of America, and Backstage (Los Angeles) is advertising a position for an Editorial Assistant “with social-media expertise.”
  • Friday Finds for Writers

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

  • First up: An assortment of authors’ book-promotion tips. I’m most intrigued by C. Hope Clark’s endorsement of the Square Card Reader, pictured to the left. (You may have seen Square elsewhere in the news this week, too.)
  • Next: “Got an MFA? Teach high school,” advises Nick Ripatrazone.
  • The Kenyon Review interviews George Singleton, on being told to “stick to fiction” in a poetry workshop, and other literary matters.
  • Sam Tanenhaus, who edits The New York Times Book Review, describes a typical workday and exemplary criticism.
  • Roxane Gay presents writers of color.
  • And in case you’ve missed the mentions elsewhere: I’m coming to Boston! And if this seminar on writing conferences, contests, and residencies appeals to you, please join us!
  • Have a great weekend. See you back here on Monday.

    Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

    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).

  • McSweeney’s Internet Tendency has announced that it is once again column contest time, and you’re eligible if you’re writing in English, regardless of location. Even better: “We have prizes. Cash prizes. The top five selections will each receive a $500 lump sum and a one-year contract to write your column (twice a month or thereabouts) for McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. One of those five winners will win a $250 bonus voted on by our readers. We do reserve the right to choose fewer (or more) winners than our planned number of five.” Deadline: “Submissions will be accepted until Monday, August 20th at 10pm Eastern time.” No entry fee.
  • The First Line has announced The First Line First Line Contest: “To celebrate our 15th year, we’re giving you a chance to inspire the world. Send us your best (original and unpublished) starter sentences, and we’ll pick four to use for next year’s first lines. You have until August 31st to submit. The winners will receive $50 and five copies of the issue that was inspired by your first line.” No entry fee.
  • Cha: An Asian Literary Journal is running a contest for unpublished poems about “The Past.” Prizes: “Prizes: First: £50, Second: £30, Third: £20, Highly Commended (up to 3): £10 each. (Payable through Paypal.) All six winning poems will receive first publication in a special section in the September 2012 issue of Cha.” No entry fee. Deadline: September 15, 2012.
  • From Grub Street, Inc.: “We’re now accepting applications for scholarships for fall workshops. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, each quarter we’re able to offer $200 scholarships to at least five writers. Recipients may use their scholarship at any time in the year and toward any class they desire, though not for Muse and the Marketplace tuition or manuscript consulting. To apply for a Fall 2012 term scholarship, please email the following to rowanATgrubstreetDOTorg by Wednesday, August 22nd at 12:00pm: a 5-10 page sample of your work, and a one-page letter detailing your financial need and desire to take a Grub Street class. Applicants will hear from the selection committee within one week after the deadline.”
  • “Beacon Academy, which provides a transformational year between 8th and 9th grades for promising, motivated, and hard-working students from Boston and surrounding areas, is seeking a part-time writing teacher for a one-year appointment from September 2012 to August 2013.”
  • James Madison University (Va.) is looking for an Assistant Director of the Furious Flower Poetry Center.
  • The YMCA of the City of New York is looking for a Literacy Tutor, Atlantic Media (Washington) seeks an Editor “to oversee a new channel on its website devoted to the intersection of work and family,” and Angie’s List (Indianapolis) is advertising for a Writer.
  • Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

    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).

  • It’s time for the annual Helen Schaible Shakespearean/Petrarchan Sonnet Contest. “Open to all. Submit only one entry of either a Shakespearean or Petrarchan sonnet. The entry must be original and unpublished. First Prize $50.00. Second Prize $35.00. Third prize $15.00. Three Honorable Mentions Unranked. Three Special Recognitions Unranked. There is no fee.”
  • H.A.L Publishing announces The Big in China Short Fiction Competition. “Open only to residents of North America, the theme for this contest is China. This does not mean the contestants have to write about China the nation nor take place in China, though those stories will be gladly read as anything else. The theme is open to interpretation and can center around China, the history of China, life in China, life after China, life without China, fortune cookies (which actually are not Chinese, but whatever, we don’t care, we are open to anything), grandma’s china plates, Chinese take-out, Shanghai, being shanghaied, stuff for sale at Target, trade deficits, foreign affairs, NAFTA, firecrackers or gunpowder, silk dresses, opium dens or railroads in the American Wild West, the struggle of Chinese immigrants to the West, Richard Nixon, Chinatown, or any other conceivable application of the theme ”China.” We might not be ready to read Deadhead stories about China Cat Sunflower, but if that’s what you’ve got, send it in. We are always ready to be surprised.” No entry fee. First-place winner receives $50 (via Paypal) and other prizes, detailed at the site.” Deadline: September 15, 2012. No simultaneous submissions. (via Duotrope.com)
  • From Contrary magazine: “If you’d like your work to appear in our next issue, the deadline for Autumn is Sept. 1. Contrary accepts submissions only through this form.” Pays: “For original commentary, fiction, and poetry, Contrary Magazine pays $20 per author per issue, regardless of the number of works or nature of the submission.”
  • Legal Outreach is looking for part-time Writing Faculty to teach Saturday classes in Long Island City, N.Y.
  • Mother Earth News (Topeka, Kansas) seeks an Editor, The Washington Times (D.C.) is looking for an experienced Editorial Writer, and Carcanet Press (Manchester, U.K.) is advertising for a Managing Editor.
  • Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

    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: Robert Lee Brewer is seeking and will pay for contributions to the 2014 editions of Writer’s Market, with a pitch deadline of August 8; Poet’s Market, with a pitch deadline of August 8; and Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market, with a deadline of August 15.
  • From Poets & Writers, Inc.: “Each year, P&W invites fiction writers and poets from a selected state to apply for the [Maureen Egen Writers Exchange] award. This year, eligible writers are residents of Alaska who have never published a book, or have published only one full-length book, of fiction or poetry….The winner in each category will each receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to meet with top literary professionals, including editors, agents, publishers, and prominent writers. While in New York, winners will also give a public reading hosted by Poets & Writers. In addition, each winner is invited to spend a month at the Jentel Artist Residency Program in Banner, Wyoming.” There’s no application fee. Deadline is December 1, 2012.
  • The Costa Short Story Award is “a brand new Award for a single short story that will run in association with the Costa Book Awards but be judged independently of the main five-category system. The new Award is for a single, previously unpublished short story of up to 4,000 words by an author aged 18 years or over and written in English. The author’s primary residence must have been the UK or Ireland for the past three years…. Entrants need not have been previously published but publishers and agents may submit entries on behalf of authors….A panel of five judges will select a shortlist of six entries which will be revealed in November. The public will then be invited to vote online for their favourite story from the six finalists. The winner will be announced at the Costa Book Awards ceremony on 29th January 2013 and will receive £3,500; two runners-up will each receive £750.” Deadline: September 7, 2012. No entry fee indicated. (via Writing-world.com)
  • Coming soon: The August Practicing Writer. Don’t miss it!
  • From Carol Tice, who with Linda Formichelli runs the Freelance Writers Den: “We’re having a contest that…ends July 31st. Grand prize — Linda and I are each going to give out one free year’s stay in Freelance Writer’s Den, along with a whole mentoring package designed to kick your career into high gear. We know that times are tough out there still for many writers, and want to offer an opportunity for those who haven’t been able to afford the Den to get in there.” No entry fee.
  • For those in the Houston area: “Writers in the Schools (WITS) is looking for 10-12 writers who can teach the joy of creative writing to young people. Employment is part-time, typically 2-6 hours of teaching one day a week from September – May. A yearlong commitment is required; however, writers who are selected to be on the WITS roster are not guaranteed immediate teaching opportunities. The pay is $55 per teaching hour. In addition to teaching, the job duties include preparing lessons, responding to student work, and compiling anthologies of student writing at the end of the school year.”
  • “The English Department at Smith College [Mass.] seeks a fiction writer with a distinguished record of publication and commitment to teaching to serve as the Elizabeth Drew Professor of English for a 2-3 year term, to begin in the fall of 2013. Previous recipients include Anita Desai, Elinor Lipman, Sue Miller, and Kurt Vonnegut. This half-time position offers an annual salary of $52,000 and a housing allowance; college-owned housing may be available. One writing workshop (course limited to 12 students) to be offered each semester.”
  • ODC Dance (San Francisco) is looking for a Writer-in-Residence, Yaddo seeks a Development Manager to work in its New York City office, and Richard Hugo House (Seattle) is advertising for a Marketing Coordinator.