Friday Finds for Writers

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

  • “10 Rules of Submitting to Literary Magazines” – and Diane Lockward’s thoughts about one of them.
  • Tom Fields-Meyer’s “Letter to a Young Writer” may be enough to get me back to writing morning pages (or something like them).
  • “How Not to Pitch”: freelance advice from an Atlantic editor.
  • The latest in Prospect‘s interview series on the art of criticism: David Wolf interviews Ruth Franklin.
  • And on a bittersweet note: Paul Muldoon’s eulogy for Seamus Heaney.
  • Have a good weekend, everyone.

    Wednesday’s WIP: Chapbook Update

    Remember when I told you that I was about to submit a poetry chapbook manuscript to a contest for the very first time? And remember when I told you that the manuscript had reached quarterfinalist status? Well, this week brought news of the semifinalist round; my chapbook has advanced no further.

    But I remain so glad to have entered this contest. It’s what prompted me to assemble an actual chapbook manuscript. After I shared the quarterfinals news, one of my poet friends offered to read the manuscript and made some helpful suggestions. And over the past couple of weeks, I’ve revised the manuscript further. I anticipate submitting it to more contests over the next months. Please stay tuned!

    Monday Markets for Writers

    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 All submissions should be original, unpublished poetry, fiction, or literary nonfiction in English.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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