Home » Fiction » Page 182
Time for the midweek melange of writing-related tidbits culled from my online wanderings:
B.J. Epstein reflects on Caryl Phillips and the “passionate engagement” of fiction.
Some lessons that I know I still need to learn: brackets, commas, and dashes.
“Wendell E. Berry, noted poet, essayist, novelist, farmer, and conservationist, will deliver the 2012 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities. The annual lecture, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), is the most prestigious honor the federal government bestows for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities.”
Especially for the teachers among us, but with relevance for all: two takes on email.
“Words we love too much,” courtesy of The New York Times.
“The Science (Not Art) of the Magazine Pitch,” by Kathryn Roethel, who has successfully pitched The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and other national pubs. (via @LisaRomeo)
In a blog post analyzing our ability (or lack thereof) to separate writers from their writing, Celeste Ng reminds me of my own reluctance to knowingly endorse/support/devote precious reading time/money/mental energy to the works of anti-Israel writers. As I’ve recently attempted to explain here.
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)
On My Machberet yesterday, I introduced an unusual pair of writing contests, both addressing “The Catskills and the Holocaust.”
“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).
If you’ve read our latest newsletter, you know that the application deadline for the 2012 Sozopol Fiction Seminars is approaching. You can learn a lot more about this fascinating program–which brings together fictionists writing in Bulgarian with an equal number of colleagues writing in English–from Fiction Writers Review, where several participants have shared their experiences and insights. (Cool photos from Jeremiah Chamberlain, too!)
Speaking of Fiction Writers Review, that’s where you’ll find my latest review–of Mark Yakich’s A Meaning for Wife (Ig Publishing).
Philip Graham shares some observations on titles in this blog post (adapted from a craft lecture he gave at the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA residency last year). Too bad the Kardashians weren’t there to listen!
Any current or potential freelancer is likely to benefit from this New York Times article with tips for putting a price on your work.”
On a related note, Kelly James-Enger shares the results of her 2012 Freelance Income Survey.
And for further more on this topic: Carol Tice’s “How I Made 6 Figures as a Freelance Writer in 2011.”
‘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.
Over on The Writer magazine’s website, they’ve posted an online version of my article on “niche contests” and awards. A slew of no-fee competitions in poetry and prose for you over there.
“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.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (Washington) is looking for a Senior Officer, Executive and Internal Communications; the Duke University Development Office (N.C.) seeks a Senior Writer; and Milwaukee Magazine (Wisc.) invites applications for a position as Assistant Editor.
Looking for a way to to develop your characters? Check out Sarah Salway’s 100-question character interview.
Yesterday was Edith Wharton’s birthday, and David Abrams wrote a post rendering homage.
Literary tourism, through Daniel Nester’s eyes.
Great advice from Diane Lockward on “the right time” to submit your poetry. (Not sure why the link keeps taking me to comments; please scroll up to read the full post.)
Some tips on deciding your story’s destiny: memoir or fiction.
Lots of Publishers Weekly‘s content is hidden behind a paywall, but if you’re looking for forthcoming titles to consider for your reviewing practice, you may want to look through these online announcements for the spring 2012 season.
The 2012 Virginia Festival of the Book schedule has been posted. (I’ll be there–will you?)
And in case you haven’t heard: My story collection, Quiet Americans, was just named a 2012 Sophie Brody Medal Honor Title. Details here.