Posts Tagged‘TBR’

Home » TBR » Page 22

Thursday’s Work-in-Progress: Introducing My New Column

by Erika Dreifus on
2

Last week’s posts–about my day job and about how and where to locate forthcoming books for review–proved very popular. Thank you all for the comments, shares, RTs, and other indications of your interest! I hope that you’ll be pleased to know that today’s “work-in-progress” post takes up some of the threads from last week’s items. And that’s because I’m about to introduce a new “extra-curricular” writing activity grounded in my reviewing practice: a “First Looks” blog series/column for Fiction Writers Review, where I’m honored to be a contributing editor.

As the first post–which went live yesterday–explains: “This series, which I’ll be writing each month, will introduce you to soon-to-be released novels and short-story collections that have piqued my interest as a reader-who-writes. Consider it a public “to be read” announcement of sorts, a way for me to point out a new title (or two) every month and explain what about it has caught my eye. For the most part, we’ll be concentrating on books that fall within FWR’s chief interest: fiction by emerging authors.”

So go ahead. Take a peek and see which soon-to-released titles made it into the inaugural post (and why). Hope you enjoy!

Thursday’s Work-in-Progress: The Profitable Artist

by Erika Dreifus on
7

Tuesday evening, a writer pal and I attended an event that featured representatives from the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). The event’s focus: a new book co-published by NYFA: The Profitable Artist: A Handbook for All Artists in the Performing, Literary, and Visual Arts, “the first complete ‘how-to’ guide to being a professional and profitable working artist. This handbook features techniques in the areas of strategic planning, financial management, marketing, fundraising, and legal issues including contract law and intellectual property.”

I’ve gone ahead and ordered the book, so I haven’t read it and can’t yet comment on its content. But I’m already struggling with what it means to be a “profitable artist,” and how the book (or NYFA, for that matter, despite its noble intentions) can help me (or anyone) attain that status. (more…)

Jewish Literary Links for Shabbat

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Shabbat shalom!

The Wednesday Web Browser for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
3
  • Eavesdrop on an intense discussion among litmag folks concerning the practice of charging fees for online submissions.
  • Sometime over the past couple of days, I was clued into the redesign of the Welcome Table Press website. So I clicked over to take a look. Among the finds there: the text of Jerald Walker’s superb essay, “The Suspension of Belief: On Being a Practitioner & a Teacher of the Essay in the Age of Skepticism.” I recall being enraptured by Walker’s presentation at the first Welcome Table Press symposium on the essay in April 2010, and I’m so glad to have the essay in pdf.
  • One fiction writer nears her MFA graduation. Check out her thesis–and reflections thereon.
  • Thinking about making the switch to freelancing? Do the math.
  • Quick profile of Amina Gautier, author of the new, Flannery O’Connor award-winning story collection, At Risk. (I’ve been looking forward to this book–I was awed by a story of Gautier’s that I read a few years ago in The Chattahoochee Review. (h/t @Dolen)
  • Also TBR: Don DeLillo’s new story collection, The Angel Esmerelda. (h/t @davidbcrowley)
  • Some thoughtful ideas on “Diversionary Tactics, or How to Lose Your Readers.”
  • Last, but not least: the November Jewish Book Carnival is online, replete with links to news, reviews, and interviews featuring Jewish books & authors.

    • The Wednesday Web Browser for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled
  • I wish I had the time to comment on Elise Blackwell’s article, “What Defines a Successful Post-MFA Career?” It contains some excellent points, and it sparks additional thoughts. But my to-do list is already too crowded with things to take care of outside my full-time, no-summers-off, no-sabbatical day job.
  • Especially for anyone teaching composition/expository writing: tips on running a “speed-dating” peer-review workshop.
  • Happy Birthday to The Short Review! “This month The Short Review turns four years old. Over that time our forty or so reviewers worldwide have reviewed 439 story collections and anthologies, and we have interviewed over 250 authors … We all do what we do for love of the short story and to spread the word about as many short story collections as possible so readers can get hold of them, demand them from their local bookshops or libraries, buy them as presents.” P.S. Did you know that it is National Short Story Week in the U.K.?
  • I LOVE this advice from Leslie Pietrzyk: “How to Give an Excellent Reading.” Spot on.
  • If you’re participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), you probably don’t have the time to read these writing-related e-books right now (even if you can do so free of charge), but all writers may want to check out the batch of complimentary offerings. (Offers expire November 12!)
  • Speaking of NaNoWriMo, check out Susan Woodring’s inspirational blog post on the subject.
  • How great was it to open Sunday’s New York Times Magazine and find an interview with Philip Levine inside?
  • The International IMPAC DUBLIN literary award longlist has been released. Just in case you’re looking for another book to read.