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: Stealing Time is a new quarterly literary magazine “about the heart of parenting. We explore the real stories of parents through fiction, essay, poetry, book reviews, and other pieces that are sad, hopeful, ebullient, resigned, reverent, wry, surprising, gut-busting, or just plain strange.” NB: “We pay! We consider this our most important priority. Writers should be paid. We’ll let you know how much we expect to pay when we accept your piece; most will be between $100 and $500, depending on length and how hard our jaws hit the floor when we start reading.” (via Duotrope.com)
  • Next: “A six-month, full-time, paid, writing internship is available at Smithsonian magazine in Washington, D.C., beginning January 2013. The internship involves writing, blogging and producing multimedia for the magazine’s Web site and writing for the print magazine’s “Around the Mall” department. Candidates should have a proven aptitude for writing and Web-journalism skills. A recent undergraduate or graduate degree is a must.”
  • “Initiated in 1998, Stadler Fellowships [at Bucknell University, Penn.] offer a recent MFA or MA in poetry the opportunity to receive professional training in arts administration and literary editing. Stadler Fellowships are designed to balance the development of professional skills with time to complete a first book of poems. Stadler Fellows assist for twenty hours each week in the administration of the Stadler Center for Poetry and/or in the editing of West Branch, Bucknell’s nationally distinguished literary journal. Fellows also work as staff members and instructors in the Bucknell Seminar for Younger Poets in June. The Fellowship stipend is $20,000. In addition, each Fellow is provided health insurance, office space in the Stadler Center, and housing. Depending on circumstances, Fellows are either housed in a furnished apartment in the Poet’s Cottage or provided with a stipend to seek housing on their own in Lewisburg.” Next application deadline is October 1, and there’s no application fee indicated.
  • Coming this week: The September issue of The Practicing Writer. Packed with no-fee competition info and paying submission calls. (Plus, a Q&A with David Abrams.)
  • “The Department of English at Skidmore College [N.Y.] invites applications from actively publishing fiction writers to fill a tenure-track Assistant Professorship in fiction writing. Secondary interests welcome. The teaching load will alternate yearly between 3/2 and 2/2. Responsibilities include periodic participation in Skidmore’s First Year Experience program. Ph.D., M.F.A, or equivalent; publications; and teaching experience required.”
  • “Hampshire College’s [Mass.] Creative Writing Program invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing and African American Literary Arts, to begin in fall 2013. We seek a writer (of poetry, fiction, and/or creative nonfiction) whose artistic and critical work is engaged with the histories, literary arts, and cultures of people of African descent, particularly in the United States. We are especially interested in candidates whose work explores the intersections of creative practice, research and issues of social justice. We seek candidates who are interested in teaching workshop-based courses as well as modeling for students what it can mean for writers to engage with literature through critical and theoretical lenses.”
  • Friday Finds for Writers

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

  • One of the highlights of my college education was a creative nonfiction workshop taught by Verlyn Klinkenborg. You can get a sense of Verlyn-as-teacher in this lovely new essay, ““Where Do Sentences Come From?”.
  • Next: Are you ever discouraged by conference/fellowship/residency applications that require letters of recommendation? Cathy Day shares some solid advice.
  • This week brought my latest “First Looks” column for Fiction Writers Review. Go take a peek at the two forthcoming debut novels I’ve spotlighted this month.
  • John Warner reflects on his new “visiting instructor” title (complete with full-time status, benefits, and other pleasures).
  • Those of us interested in freelancing have likely heard about the service known as HARO (Help a Reporter Out). But do we understand how it works?
  • Have a great weekend. See you back here on Monday.

    Friday Finds for Writers

    Oh, what a busy week it has been. I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that many of you have already seen several of the most-talked about (and tweeted) items: l’affaire Jonah Lehrer, Colson Whitehead’s rules for writing, and so on. So please indulge me while I direct your attention elsewhere:

  • Earlier this summer, I was lucky enough to attend “The Uses of History in American Jewish Fiction,” featuring novelists Anna Solomon and Dara Horn and moderated by Josh Lambert. And now, all of you are lucky enough to be able to watch the event on video. (cross-posted on My Machberet)
  • Similarly, you can now see why I so enjoyed these readings by and conversation between Joyce Carol Oates and Richard Ford.
  • New to the blogroll this week: the edifying How a Poem Happens blog. (Thanks to Evelyn Somers for leading me to it.)
  • Adam Stumacher says: “Don’t Wait for Permission: Notes on a D.I.Y. Writing Fellowship.” As you’ll see, he and his writer wife had a pretty cool year. (I’m not quite convinced that this can work for everyone, but the example might help some others make a similar leap.)
  • Finally, a bit of advice for freelancers from the Dollars & Deadlines blog on “six types of markets and how to approach them.”
  • Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. See you back here on Monday!

    Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

    If it’s Monday, it’s time for me to share some opportunities with you. No application fees. Paying gigs.

  • Canadian journal Ryga (“a journal of provocations”) “welcomes submissions of previously unpublished poetry, prose and short plays that coincide with our editorial mission.” Pays: $100 (presumably in Canadian dollars). (via placesforwriters.com)
  • The Eugene Paul Nassar Poetry Prize recognizes the “best poetry collection published by an Upstate [N.Y.] author” between January 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012. Confers a prize of $2,000. No entry fee. Deadline: August 31, 2012.
  • For writers in the Greater Hartford (Conn.) region: “The Wisdom House Writers Fellowship Program was created in June 2010 to support low-income writers residing in the 29-town Greater Hartford region* in developing their work. Consideration will be given to writers who cannot afford to attend the retreat facility on their own. The program was made possible through a grant from the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. The fellowships provide local writers with an opportunity to focus on and develop their writing by providing a quiet environment at the Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center in Litchfield, CT. The program covers accommodations and meals….Deadlines for receipt of applications will be the 1st of every other month (September 1, November 1, etc.).” No application fee. (via @femministas)
  • “The George Mason University, Department of English [Va.] invites applicants for a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Creative Writing, Poetry position to begin fall 2013. Substantial publications (at least one poetry book published and substantial work toward a second) are required, along with a proven teaching record. The successful candidate will teach graduate and undergraduate courses and workshops (2-2 load) in a well-established MFA and new BFA program (pending approval), and also direct theses in the MFA. Academic and university service is required.”
  • The Peace Corps (Washington) is looking for a Writer/Editor, 826 Seattle seeks a Programs Coordinator, and 826 Boston is advertising for an In-School Project Coordinator.
  • Don’t forget that the July issue of The Practicing Writer is now available, and you can find plenty of additional contests & calls listed there.
  • Monday Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

  • Let’s begin this week’s batch of opportunities with a new, no-fee contest from WorkStew.com: “‘Write a letter to the bright-eyed job seeker interested in following in your footsteps. Illuminate. Opine. Advise. But do not exceed 800 words.’ So goes the official prompt for the first-ever Work Stew writing contest, which kicks off on May 1. There’s real money involved ($1,500 in prizes), so be sure to read the legalese.” Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on Monday, May 21. Judge: Pam Belluck.
  • May is an open submissions month for Graywolf Press. Please note that the press is no longer accepting first collections (poetry or short stories) through open submissions. “We will continue to accept second and subsequent collections of poetry and short stories during our open submission periods. In addition, we will continue to accept submission of novels and works of nonfiction as usual.”
  • Emmerson Street Press is eager to read the work of the vibrant creative people that we know are out there; writers who are proud to be a part of the centuries old literary tradition; writers who have been looking for a place to have their work welcomed. We are also eager to hear from academics interested in writing an introduction (up to 1000 words) to a reprint classic. In this area we want to hear from PhD types with a passion for a specific book, author or thinker; we want to help you pass that passion on. In this area, we are also interested in translations. We are primarily interested in Canadian authors and academics, but would be willing to take on an international writer if the submission is too good to let slip by!” (via placesforwriters.com)
  • Durham University (U.K.) invites applications for its Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) fellowships. “The theme for 2013/14, for which applications are now invited, is “Light,” interpreted in its broadest sense to be of potential interest to those working in a wide range of disciplines.” Fellowships are available for 3-month periods between October 2013 and March 2014. “The IAS will cover the costs associated with the fellow travelling to Durham, UK…and will provide all fellows with an honorarium.” Applicants may be from any nationality or discipline. “Applicants may come from an academic or non-academic background (e.g. public intellectuals, artists, writers, film makers, journalists, policy makers, politicians.” No application fee. Deadline: June 17, 2012.
  • Quick reminder that Practicing Writing is running two giveaways right now: one for Edith Pearlman’s Binocular Vision and the other for Kelly James-Enger’s Writer for Hire.
  • Split this Rock (Washington) is looking for an Assistant Director. “Split This Rock calls poets to the center of public life and fosters a national network of socially engaged poets. From our home in the nation’s capital we celebrate poetic diversity and the transformative power of the imagination. All of Split This Rock’s programs are designed to integrate poetry of provocation and witness into public life and to support the poets who write and perform this critical work. Split This Rock’s cornerstone program is a national festival, held every two years in Washington, DC. The next festival is scheduled for March, 2014. We also have a robust youth program, publish poetry online, organize social justice campaigns, and present readings, workshops, and discussions year-round.”
  • The Wick Poetry Center at Kent State University (Ohio) seeks an Academic Program Coordinator to “assist…with community arts projects and general programming.”
  • PEN International (London) is looking for a Literary Manager and a Communications & Campaign Manager.
  • “Gogebic Community College [Mich.] seeks innovative, collaborative and dynamic individuals for a full-time English Faculty vacancy within the Language and Arts division to teach courses in developmental level English, Interpersonal Skills, and Composition. Opportunities to teach literature and poetry classes may be available. This tenure-track position begins in August 2012.”