Midweek means that it’s time for me to share with you a few of this week’s online discoveries (so far!).
Let’s begin with an issue that is – ahem – not unfamiliar to me: the question of whether writers should discuss politics online, as raised by Tracy Hahn-Burkett for Beyond the Margins. (Oh, so complicated!)
On a not-unrelated note: If you haven’t yet read it, I’ve shared some views (and posed some questions) concerning “Günter Grass, My Book & Me” over on my other blog.
Any of you taking part in Robert Lee Brewer’s April Platform Challenge? I’ve been following along. It’s thanks to that challenge that you can now subscribe to Practicing Writing (and to the aforementioned “other blog,” My Machberet) by email. Just look to the right side of the screen for the nifty subscription boxes.
A few choice writing lessons from Constance Hale, on The New York Times Opinionator blog.
In case you haven’t heard, Fiction lost out big time at the Pulitzers this week. For those of us who don’t know much about how winners are chosen, Laura Miller provides some information.
Brevity has announced an unusual contest, linked to the publication of A Field Guide for Immersion Writing: Memoir, Journalism, and Travel (by Robin Hemley). “For centuries writers have used participatory experience as a lens through which to better see the world at large and as a means of exploring the self. Immersion writing encompasses Immersion Memoir (in which the writer uses participatory experience to write about the Self), Immersion Journalism (in which the writer uses the Self to write about the world), and Travel Writing (a bit of both: the writer in the world and the world in the writer). Types of immersion writing within these broad categories include: the Reenactment, the Experiment, the Quest, the Investigation, and the Infiltration. Immersion, by the way, is defined as involvement in something that completely occupies all the time, energy, or concentration available. So, choose one of the immersion modes and knock yourself out, except that we are only allowing you 500 words.” Prizes: “First prize is a copy of A Field Guide for Immersion Writing: Memoir, Journalism, and Travel and $50, second prize is a signed copy of the immersive The Accidental Buddhist, and third prize is a showercap. All three winners will be published on the Brevity blog.” No entry fee. Deadline: May 11, 2012.
Attention, New England writers! Level Best Books is taking submissions for its tenth anthology, Best New England Crime Stories 2013: Blood Moon. Deadline: April 30, 2012. Pays: “Authors whose work is selected receive $25 and one free copy of the anthology.”
Earthworks Prize for Indigenous Poetry: “The Kenyon Review, in partnership with Salt Publishing, UK, and the award-winning Earthworks Book Series, announces a competition for a first or second collection of poems by an Indigenous writer. The winning volume will be published by Salt, and the winning poet will give a reading at Kenyon College and receive a $1,000 honorarium.” No entry fee indicated. Submissions during the month of August 2012.
Paying editorial internship with The Root, “the leading online source of news and commentary from an African-American perspective”: “The Root has openings for summer editorial interns. Duties include but are not limited to: Writing, article and photo research, online comment moderation, social media posting and curating, preparing content for publication, answering phones, answering emails, and podcast production. The internship pays $10 per hour.”
Utica College (N.Y.) is looking for: “One-year assistant professor starting August 2012 with the possibility of renewal. Applicants should have expertise in creative nonfiction. Candidate will teach a minimum 4 course load per semester, including two sections of freshman composition, and one section of literature every semester, and a multi-genre beginning creative writing course and a course in creative nonfiction in alternating semesters.”
“The Delaware College of Art and Design (http://www.dcad.edu) is accepting applications for adjunct faculty to teach Writing and Literature. Fall semester begins on August 27, 2012. Teaching assignments may be possible for subsequent semesters, depending upon enrollment. Master’s degree required.
Idealist.org (New York) seeks a Writer & Editor, the Association of American Medical Colleges (Washington) is looking for a Writer/Editor, and the Idaho Education Association (Boise) invites applications for a Director of Communications position.
First, having recently met Thomas Mallon–and being a few pages into the autographed copy of Watergate that I purchased at that time–I recommend to you Nick Kocz’s Mallon/Watergate-inspired blog post.
Reading B.J. Epstein’s reflections on aspiring literary translators, I can’t help but see some parallels with the expectations often embedded among aspiring writers in MFA programs.
Finally, and especially if you need to put a smile on your face at this particular moment, check out Jane Roper’s new book trailer. Jane’s memoir of her first three years parenting twins (Double Time) will be out in May from St. Martin’s. I’m thrilled that the next issue of The Practicing Writer will feature a Q&A with Jane. But in the meantime, go ahead–enjoy this trailer and meet the two chief inspirations behind the book.
If you have the time today, you can drop by The New Yorker‘s “Ask the Author” chat with Adam Gopnik. The subject: Albert Camus, the focus of Gopnik’s article in this week’s issue of the magazine. Chat begins at 3 p.m., E.T.
I’ll admit that I don’t get too agitated about gender issues in publishing. (What ticks me off far more is the anti-Israel sentiment I see in the literary/publishing establishment, not any perceived bias favoring male writers.) That said, I’m a fan of Meg Wolitzer’s work, so when she writes, I read. Sunday’s New York Times Book Review included Wolitzer’s “The Second Shelf: Literary Rules for Men and Women.” Worth your time, if you haven’t yet caught it.
From Mslexia: “We’re looking for guest bloggers for the Mslexia blog. Are you working on an interesting short-term writing project or in a key role in publishing? Perhaps you’re researching your novel or finalising your first poetry collection; freelancing as a journalist or reading submissions at a literary agency? We’re opening out our blog to a limited number of women writers with something interesting to say about the writing process, writing projects they’re involved in, the publishing industry, their particularly inspiring journey on the rocky road to publication or anything writing-related that other authors, published or not, will be inspired by.” Deadline to be considered as a blogger for a three-month “residency” starting April-June 2012 is April 16. Pays: “£100 for a three-month guest blog.”
Short-story contest from The Abstract Quill. Cash prizes ($100 and $25) plus publication to the first- and second-prize winners. Payments will be made via Paypal. No entry fees indicated. Deadline: May 15, 2012. (via NewPages.com)
“2012 is the 200th anniversary of the uprising by Luddite machine breakers, which inspired great poetry by Byron, Shelley and others. The defeat of the Luddites by thousands of soldiers led to two centuries of industrialism. Its ugliness and beauty, its wealth and its poverty have all been inspiration for truly brilliant pieces. Now we live in a world dominated by science and technology, but on the brink of environmental disaster. What do the Luddites and their mythical leader, General Ned Ludd mean to you?/Luddites 200 is launching a poetry competition, with prizes to be awarded by Andy Croft at our festival in Huddersfield on April 28th/29th. Poems can be in any style, with a maximum length of 40 lines.” First-prize poems in both categories (under 16 and over 16) will be awarded £40 each. “There will be second and third prizes of books and/or merchandise, to be confirmed on the day. There is no entry fee, but we would appreciate donations to cover the costs of running our festival.” Deadline: April 14, 2012.
Have you seen the latest issue of The Practicing Writer yet? It’s filled with additional no-fee competitions and paying submission calls.
“Babble.com is seeking an experienced Wikipedia writer/editor to help create and edit Wikipedia entries related to our company and writers. If you have a demonstrated track record of creating approved Wikipedia pages, please contact us. Much of the text for the entries will be provided, so we’re especially looking for someone who intimately understands Wikipedia formatting, requirements, and process. The person will be paid hourly, and there is the possibility for either a short-term or a more involved set of assignments.” (free site registration required to view full ad)
“Holy Family University, a comprehensive Catholic institution in Philadelphia, PA., invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor of Writing, beginning August 2012.The position requires teaching in the university’s first-year, undergraduate writing program, as well as courses in composition and, contingent upon availability, creative writing. The ideal candidate will have specialization and teaching experience in these areas, along with a track record of related research and publication. Candidates should have a commitment to support the mission of Holy Family University and possess excellent teaching skills, an active scholarly agenda and a willingness to participate in student advising and campus service. A Ph.D. in English or Composition/Rhetoric is required. Candidates with an MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction) will also be considered.
Stillman College (Ala.) is looking for an Assistant Professor of English: “Minimum Requirements: Ph.D. in English. Academic experience in composition and/or technical writing is highly desirable. Applicants who have background and interest in composition and rhetoric, technical and professional communication, and/or African American literature are encouraged to apply. Instructional Duties: Teach English composition courses as well as upper level courses of English such as technical writing, creative writing, and/or special topics literature (i.e., Chaucer, Shakespeare, modern Black fiction, 20th century literature, African literature, and Caribbean literature).”
The Sun (Chapel Hill, N.C.) is looking for a Managing Editor, Chicago magazine seeks a Senior Editor to handle culture coverage, and National Geographic Society (Washington) invites applications for an Assistant Editor position (looks as though this job focuses on NG Kids and NG Little Kids magazines).