Last week brought some buzz–including a New York Times article–about an author whose unsellable manuscript scored a deal as soon as a pseudonymous byline entered the picture.
The Poets & Writers contests blog presents a Q&A with Jennifer Perrine, who has won multiple contests and competitions.
You know how I’m always reminding you that I’m a #writerwithadayjob? Well, with my appearance on writerwithadayjob.com, it’s official! (Thanks to Aine Greaney for the affirmation, and for introducing me to your excellent blog.)
For the next five days I expect to be seeing a lot on Twitter from the folks heading to Chicago for the annual Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) conference. With the help of the #AWP12 hashtag, that is.
And speaking of AWP–allow me to leave you with this creation, “Annual Conference: 8,000 Writers Expected,” written and read by Rebecca McClanahan.
Quick deadline for this one: Two paying summer internships are available at the Nieman Journalism Lab in Cambridge, Mass. From the announcement: “We’re interested in journalism innovation and the future of the news. Our summer interns will be right in the thick of that work, reporting and writing stories on traditional news organizations, online-native startups, nonprofit outlets, technology companies, social media platforms, and all the other players influencing how we learn about our world.” Applications are due March 2.
The Australian journal Meanjin has reopened to poetry submissions only. Right now they’re taking hard-copy submissions only, but the guidelines page notes that the journal is “in the process of moving to a new digital submissions service.” Pays a “minimum” fee of $50 (Australian) for poetry.
“Instituted in the fall of 2005, the Edith Wharton Essay Prize is awarded annually for the best unpublished essay on Edith Wharton by a beginning scholar. Graduate students, independent scholars, and faculty members who have not held a tenure-track or full-time appointment for more than four years are eligible to submit their work. The winning essay will be published in The Edith Wharton Review, a peer-reviewed journal indexed in the MLA Bibliography , and the writer will receive an award of $250.” There is no entry fee. Deadline: April 30, 2012.
From WritersWeekly.com: “DigitalGrandparent.com looking for guest bloggers. Read the blog, if you have a great idea for a post that suits our style, please send to maryan at ontext dot com. $40 stipend per 600-800 words.”
“Writing About Your Mother and/or Father” is the title of an upcoming event that will be run by the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). Scheduled for March 6 at 6 p.m. (Eastern), this event will be available via live webcast free of charge.
From Newcastle University (U.K.): “The School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics wishes to appoint a part-time (0.4 FTE) lecturer with expertise and publications in Creative Writing (Prose). We are seeking applicants who will contribute to teaching across both undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes, as well as supervise PhDs. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who can contribute to and see opportunities to develop the resources of the Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts, a university research centre based in the School.”
It’s nearly the end of the month. You know what that means! I’m putting the finishing touches on the March issue of The Practicing Writer. It will be emailed to subscribers midweek. As always, free of charge; as always, featuring only fee-free competitions & paying gigs for poets, fictionists, and writers of creative nonfiction.
Northwestern University (Ill.) is looking for a Senior Writer, Abrams Media (New York) seeks an Editor for its “soon-to-be-launched chef-focused site,” and Living Beyond Breast Cancer (Haverford, Pa.) invites applications for a position as Writer and Website Coordinator.
The Poetry Matters 2012 poetry award “is open to anyone, anywhere who is in Middle School or older.” There is no entry fee. “Cash Prizes are given to 1st ($100), 2nd ($75), 3rd ($50) and 4th ($35) place winners. To receive the cash prize winners must have their poem read (in person or via video) at the poetry reading event.” Deadline: March 23, 2012. (via @femministas)
“The United States Forest Service offers residencies of seven to nine days from June through August to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers, to take part in a field project in the wilderness of the Alaskan National Forest. Residents will be paired with a wilderness ranger, with whom they will camp, kayak, hike, and explore the coastal terrain of the Tongass and Chugach National Forests, while assisting with research, fieldwork, and other light ranger duties. Residents are provided with camping equipment, food, and travel to an from the field, but are responsible for their own transportation to Alaska. Residents are expected to donate one piece of creative work to the Forest Service, and to give one public presentation, such as a reading or a workshop, within six months of their residency that in some way connects a community to its public lands (the presentation does not have to take place in the community of the residency). Submit six pages of poetry or prose and a statement of purpose by April 20. There is no application fee. Visit the website for an application form complete guidelines.”
The Sustainable Arts Foundation provides Writing Awards ($6,000) and smaller “Promise Awards” to writers (of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry) who have at least one child under the age of 18. “We welcome applicants from anywhere, but will give some preference to residents of the San Francisco bay area.” The next application deadline is March 1; no application fees are indicated.
Drew University (N.J.) is looking for an MFA Program Director: “The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies is seeking a director of our low-residency MFA program in Poetry and Poetry Translation. The program is in its fourth year, has a nationally renowned faculty and graduates with a strong record of publication already. The director is responsible for the direction of the program: will teach two students per semester; lecture at the residencies and give a reading; work with admissions to recruit students; supervise program budget; provide orientation for new faculty and students; oversee faculty and students during the correspondence semesters; oversee course/faculty/student evaluations; identify guest writers/poets for readings; work with the dean’s office to set the schedule for the January. June residencies; organise the lectures/panels; oversee the senior panels; track students’ progress; work with the dean’s office to promote the program; assign faculty mentors for students and serve as a liaison with the larger university community. Curriculum development is another important part of the job. For example, our program is distinguishing itself by offering a translation component. The Director is expected to explore options for opening additional such ‘tracks’ in the program, in keeping with the strengths and resources of Drew and the program.”
Georgia College & State University seeks an Assistant Professor of English (Fiction): “Undergraduate and graduate teaching, thesis advising, and editing for graduate and undergraduate literary journals. Candidate will be expected to design and offer graduate and upper division courses in literary fiction and creative nonfiction as well as other undergraduate liberal arts courses.”
California College of the Arts is advertising for an nontenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor in Creative Nonfiction Writing. “Course load is negotiable and not to exceed four courses per academic year. Candidate will teach regularly in the undergraduate Writing and Literature Program and MFA Program in Writing. Candidate will also participate in program and college-wide service, including curricular development and assessment.”
Received via email: “The spring issue of online literary journal Revolution House will feature a special section dedicated to all forms of creative nonfiction. One lucky CNF author will receive an editor’s choice cash award, as well as the first-ever print issue of the magazine. Submit by February 20th to be considered. More information can be found at http://revolutionhousemag.com/?page_id=54.” NB: I’ve been told that the prize for this (exceptional) editor’s choice winner will be $35-$50.
Did you miss our February newsletter? As usual, packed with paying calls and no-fee contest info.
Canada-based carte blanche has a March 1 deadline for its spring issue (May publication). “At carte blanche we believe there is more than one way to tell a story. Our mandate is to provide a venue for narrative of all forms from fiction and nonfiction, to poetry and photo essays.” Pays: “carte blanche pays a modest honorarium per submission. We hope to increase the amount in the future.” (via placesforwriters.com)
“Girton College is delighted to invite entries for the 2012 Jane Martin Poetry Prize. Now in its second year, the prize is a key part of the College’s support for poetry and will be of interest to all those serious about literary excellence.The competition will be judged by experts drawn from across the literary world and academia. We are thrilled that this year the panel will include Bernard O’Donoghue and Gwyneth Lewis. Building on the success of 2011, the 2012 winner will receive not just a cash prize of £1,500, but the opportunity to give a reading at a high-profile poetry event at which the prize will be awarded. The closing date for submissions is 16 March 2012. For full information, including the rules of the prize, please download our flyer.”NB: Entrants must be resident in the U.K. and over 18 years of age.
Some changes in the Madeline P. Plonsker Prize (notably, an earlier deadline: March 1; see also that only the first 200 submissions will be considered). “We invite applications for a writer under forty years old, with no major book publication, to spend two months (February-March or March-April) in residence at Lake Forest College. Cross-genre works are always welcome. Beyond this, even residency years (with odd year deadlines) look for prose writers. Odd residency years (with even years deadlines) look for poets.” This means that poets are eligible this year. “There are no formal teaching duties attached to the residency. Time is to be spent completing a manuscript, participating in the annual Lake Forest Literary Festival, and offering a series of public presentations. The completed manuscript will be published (upon approval) by &NOW Books imprint, with distribution by Northwestern University Press. The stipend is $10,000 with a housing suite and campus meals provided by the college.”
“Indiana University seeks a 1-Year Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing to teach graduate and undergraduate poetry workshops, as well as literature courses in contemporary poetry. Appointment to begin Fall 2012. Expertise in African-American, Asian-American, Latino, and/or anglophone African-Caribbean literature desirable. A book and MFA required. Previous college-level teaching experience preferred. 2/2 annual teaching load plus thesis advising.”
From Columbia University (New York): “The Writing Program announces a full-time position as Lecturer in Discipline to teach poetry in its undergraduate and graduate program, effective July 1, 2012. The initial appointment will be for 1 year with the possibility of renewal for 2 more years. Salary is commensurate with experience. All candidates must have published at least one book with a nationally recognized press and have significant literary publications.”
From Sheffield University (U.K.): “The School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics, wishes to appoint [a] Writer in Residence specialising in fiction.” This is a part-time, two-year position.
Weill Cornell Medical College (New York) seeks a Writer/Editor, the Brooklyn Public Library is looking for a Copy Editor, and Stars and Stripes (Washington) invites applications for a position as Editor (Website Copy).
‘Tis the season to be preparing those financial aid applications for the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference: “Thanks to the generous support of Middlebury College and to an endowment fund established by past Bread Loafers and other donors, we are able to offer financial aid in three categories: fellowships, tuition scholarships, and work-study scholarships. Financial aid is awarded in recognition of published work or literary promise; financial need has no bearing on our decisions. Awards must be used in the year they are granted.” Deadline: March 1; early application is “strongly encouraged.” No application fees.
In case you missed it, last week’s Friday Find was a resource list for writers of flash nonfiction/micro-essays.
“Booktrust and the BBC’s annual showcase of outstanding short fiction [has launched] with an expanded worldwide quest to find the best international short story of 2012 to mark the Olympic year. The judging panel for the one-off BBC International Short Story Award will be chaired by broadcaster and comedy writer Clive Anderson and the winner announced on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row. For the first time since it launched in 2006, the BBC Short Story Award will see stories from home and abroad going head-to-head for the £15,000 cheque for first place. For one year only authors from across the globe will be eligible to enter alongside UK practitioners.” There will be a runner-up award of £2,500 and eight awards of £250 for the other shortlisted stories. Note that all entering authors “must have a record of prior publication in creative writing in the United Kingdom.” Be sure to read the detailed guidelines for further specifications. No entry fee. Deadline: February 27, 2012. (via @SarahSalway)
“Adelphi University’s (N.Y.) English Department is seeking applicants for a Visiting Assistant Professor position to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in literature and creative writing during academic year 2012-13, replacing a fiction writer on leave. 3/3 teaching load with thesis advising duties. Published fiction writer with publications in additional genre preferred.”
“Mercy College’s (N.Y.) School of Liberal Arts is seeking faculty in Creative Writing, tenure track or multiple year track, rank open. This position involves teaching at all levels of the composition sequence. It includes teaching prose fiction and non-fiction as well as poetry.