Posts Tagged‘Creative Nonfiction’

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Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Paying for My MediaBistro AvantGuild Membership (Many Times Over)

by Erika Dreifus on
9

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I don’t know how many of you have purchased MediaBistro AvantGuild memberships or have considered doing so. I bought a membership a number of years ago, and then let it lapse—until last year, when, determined to build up my freelance practice, I renewed it.

In fact, I purchased a two-year membership (I’m one of those consumers more likely to fall for the discounts offered for long-term commitments!). And late last week, I received a contract—for a personal essay—that will pay for that extended membership multiple times over. (more…)

Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Updated Eponymous Guide to Literary Contests and Competitions

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

By now, many of you know that I’m into the tenth year of publishing a free monthly newsletter for writers. Titled “The Practicing Writer,” the newsletter has evolved over time to include ONLY no-fee competitions and paying calls for submissions, plus other news and resources for writers of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. (Read the current issue.)

Over the years, I’ve offered new newsletter subscribers an exclusive benefit: a guide to “eponymous literary contests and competitions.” I’ve previously titled this guide “From (A)lgren to (Y)eats.” But in the latest update–which I concluded a few days ago–I decided that, in keeping with my newsletter policies, I should limit the contests and competitions listed in the guide to opportunities that don’t charge fees. Sadly, I can’t find any Yeats-related contest that is also fee-free. So this edition of the guide brings a title change: “From (A)lgren to (W)illiams.”

The guide goes out automatically to new subscribers, but the file is available to current subscribers as well. (NB: If you’re a newsletter subscriber but you have trouble accessing the file, please read this for advice. I hope that will help!)

UPDATE, 8:00 AM: I can’t help but wonder if this post, which went live shortly after midnight, is what attracted the attention of the nefarious hacker who evidently hacked into my Yahoo! account a few hours ago. In any case, I apologize profusely for any nasty messages any of you have received from “me.” Hopefully, the situation has been remedied. Thank you for your understanding.

Friday Finds for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
5

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

  • The benefits of reverse-outlining, according to fictionist Aaron Hamburger.
  • Big news from the Poetry Foundation: Robert Polito will be its next president.
  • So many people have been recommending “Salon’s Guide to Writing a Memoir” this week, but I can’t get past Lauren Slater’s advice–which reminds me how much (and why) I loathed Lying, which I was required to read as an MFA student. (Too bad, too, because I’d admired Slater’s previous memoirs.)
  • I love this free, downloadable “success chart” that’s offered on poet Kelli Russell Agodon’s blog.
  • Steve Almond explains “Why I Write Smut: A Manifesto.”

    • Have a wonderful weekend, all. See you back here on Monday.

    Monday Markets for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    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).

  • “Spirit First is pleased to announce its fourth annual meditation poetry contest. Poetry submissions may be of any length and any style but must have a theme of meditation, mindfulness, stillness, or silence. Poems may reflect any discipline, any faith, or none. Poems must be previously unpublished.” Deadline: January 31, 2013 (received). Cash prizes: $175/$125/$75. No entry fee. (via WinningWriters.com)
  • Here’s a contest that will award $100 worth of Amazon vouchers: the Clickinks Poetry Competition. “With the start of the New Year we all become focussed on making resolutions and turning over a new leaf. This is why we would like you to write a poem on ‘new beginnings’. The competition is open to applicants of all ages, whether you are a budding or experienced writer, we want your poems! It can be written in any style, as long as it’s no more than 45 lines and must be your own work.” Deadline is February 11, 2013. No entry fee.
  • I’m happy to report that Pamelyn Casto’s newsletter devoted to flash literature is back! This free resource is “devoted to markets, contests, and publishing news for short-short literature 1,500 words or fewer (including short-short fiction, prose poetry, haibun, flash memoirs, flash creative nonfiction, flash plays).” (Be forewarned that not every market included in this newsletter pays, and you may find some fee-charging contests, too. Nonetheless, I subscribe, and you can, too.
  • NYC writers! Applications are open for the 2013 Center for Fiction Emerging Writers Fellowship, which provides an array of benefits (including a $4,000 grant and writing space). Ten writers will be chosen for 2013 fellowships. No application fee. Apply by February 15, 2013.
  • Monmouth University (N.J.) is looking for an Assistant Professor, Creative Nonfiction; the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, is advertising for an Assistant/Associate Professor and Writer-in-Residence; Southwest Minnesota State University seeks an Assistant Professor of English (Creative Writing); Naropa University (Colo.) invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Writing and Poetics; and Full Sail University (Fla.) is in search of an Associate Course Director for Creative Writing.

    • Monday Markets for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    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).

  • The Nelson Algren Short Story Award competition is open for submissions until February 1. This competition is open to all legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are over 18 years of age, and there is no entry fee. Stories may run up to 8,000 words. Prizes: “One grand prize winner will receive $3,500. Four finalists will each receive $1,000. Five runners-up will each receive $500.” Note also: “All contest entries may be considered for eventual Tribune publication pending notification of the author.” (Thanks to the PayingWriterJobs list for reminding me of this imminent deadline.)
  • “Established literary publisher Pushkin Press is is looking for an experienced publicist to work part-time to publicize and market its list in the US and Canada. We are seeking a dynamic US-based publicist to promote and market Pushkin Press and our large backlist (over 100 titles) and exciting and growing program of frontlist titles (c 20 new titles/year across adult and children’s lists).” Apply by January 31, 2013.
  • “The New Republic is looking for reporter-researchers for its 2013-2014 program. Job duties include reporting, researching, writing, and fact-checking for the politics section of The New Republic’s print magazine and website; as well as assisting with web production and performing occasional clerical tasks. Reporter-researchers work closely with writers and editors, and are strongly encouraged to write articles. Most reporter-researchers finish their program with a substantial portfolio of clips and have gone on to work almost everywhere in journalism—including The New Republic itself. The year-long job will begin in summer 2013 and will include a salary. Graduating seniors as well as recent graduates and graduates from post-grad programs are welcome to apply.” Deadline: February 8, 2013.
  • Brevity has announced a flash essay contest that it is running in conjunction with the release of its latest issue. The contest builds on Philip Graham’s writing prompt in the recently released The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction (which is republished in the new issue of Brevity). Follow the instructions and submit your flash piece by February 14. There is no entry fee. Prizes: “First prize is a copy of The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction: Advice and Essential Exercises from Respected Writers, Editors, and Teachers and $50, second prize and third prizes will be other books from Rose Metal Press.  All three winners will be published on the Brevity blog.”
  • Ramapo College of New Jersey is advertising for a temporary Assistant Professor of Creative Writing and Literature (fiction specialist).