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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).

  • “Crab Orchard Review is seeking work for our Summer/Fall 2014 issue focusing on writing exploring the people, places, history, and changes shaping these U.S. States, Commonwealths, and Territories: California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawai’i, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, and other areas which have been a part of the United States beyond the Lower 48 States (excepting those States listed here). All submissions should be original, unpublished poetry, fiction, or literary nonfiction in English. Please inquire before submitting any translations….The submission period by postal mail for this issue is August 15 through October 1, 2013. (There will be later dates for online submissions to our Special Issue Feature Awards. All submissions for the Special Issue Feature Awards are also considered for publication in the Summer/Fall 2014 issue). We will be reading submissions throughout and hope to complete the editorial work on the issue by the end of February 2014. Writers whose work is selected will receive $25 (US) per magazine page ($50 minimum for poetry; $100 minimum for prose) and two copies of the issue.”
  • Call for submissions for a Seal Press anthology: Stepping Up: Stories of Blended Families. “More than half the families in America are living in step. Some work beautifully, but more than sixty percent are torn with conflict and will end in dissolution. Parents and children currently living in stepfamilies, or coming from them and making their own way as adults, have stories that will entertain, inform, perhaps trouble but ultimately inspire us. We are looking for those stories. We seek a diversity of voices and welcome submissions from a variety of family situations. We value honesty, clarity, specificity, ‘showing not telling,’ tight writing, and the sharing of insights.” Query first. Deadline: February 1, 2014. Pays: $100 plus two copies of the published book. (h/t Judy Bolton-Fasman)
  • The September issue of The Practicing Writer will go out to subscribers next weekend. It will have LOTS of news re: submission opportunities for the fall season and competitions with upcoming deadlines. All are paying opportunities that don’t charge entry/application fees. If you aren’t already a subscriber, sign up and get your issue right in your e-mailbox.

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    Friday Finds for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

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

  • A few submission questions–especially for nonfiction/essay writers–answered by Michelle Seaton.
  • Kelly James-Enger reveals “10 Reasons Why Your Pitch Got Rejected.” (Wish that I’d had this post to share with the students in my freelancing seminars last week.)
  • Robert Lee Brewer shares his experience securing blurbs for his new poetry collection.
  • “The men couldn’t fight back against being prisoners—but they could take on perceived abuse by a writer’s imagination.” So writes Carol Muske-Dukes in an extraordinary post on John Cheever’s visit to the Ossining Correctional Facility (“Sing Sing”).
  • One of my favorite reading series is Sunday Salon NYC. Even if I weren’t a past participant and didn’t have a piece in the latest issue of the complementary SalonZine, I’d point you to the online offerings that Nita Noveno and Sara Lippmann have assembled. Check out their introduction to the “Shaken” issue.

    • Have a great weekend, everyone!

    Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Updates Galore

    by Erika Dreifus on
    3

    A few bits of news to share this week:

  • Remember when I told you that I was about to submit a poetry chapbook manuscript to a contest for the very first time? Well, I’m overjoyed to share that the manuscript has reached quarterfinalist status! The news really made my day last Wednesday when it was announced. Obviously, I’m hoping that the manuscript makes it to the next (semifinalist) stage, too. But even if it doesn’t, I have gained such a sense of validation in the work. For that, I am so grateful.
  • Today I’m on my way to the Whidbey Writers Workshop MFA program‘s August residency, where I’ll be teaching seminars on freelancing, character development, and short-story collection structuring. I’m honored to have this opportunity and eager to get my first-ever glimpse of the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
  • And speaking of fiction/short stories, may I recommend that you short story writers consider pre-ordering the 2014 Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market? I won’t get any commission, but you will get to see my article on “Habits of Highly Successful Short Story Writers” within. More about that (and public thanks to my interviewees) when I’m able to get my hands on a final copy of the book, myself.

    • I’m not sure what my Internet situation will be like while I’m away at the residency, so I’m taking a brief hiatus from blogging until I get back. (Don’t worry–when I say “brief” I mean “brief”–you’ll see me back here on Monday morning!) Have a great several days, everyone.

    Some of the scenery I can look forward to! (photo from the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts Facebook page)
    Some of the scenery I can look forward to! (photo from the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts Facebook page)