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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).
‘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.
A new essay competition commemorates the 50th anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. Two prizes will be awarded: a “Junior Prize” of $1,000 for essays 1,000 words (or less), which is open to students aged 13-18; and a “Senior Prize,” conferring $2,000 for 2,000 words (or less), which is open to anyone aged 19 or over.” Questions to spark your essayistic response are posted on the website. There is no entry fee, and the deadline is March 15, 2012.
“The Chattahoochee Review is seeking poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for a special focus issue on Irish Literature to be published in late 2012.” No deadline specified. Pays: “We typically pay $50/poem and $25/page for prose. Payment for reviews, interviews, plays, and art is determined on an individual basis. All contributors receive two copies.”
“Open City is a new online magazine on Asian American news and culture in New York. We’re looking for Creative Nonfiction Fellows to write and produce stories on the vibrant immigrant communities of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. In a time when Occupy Wall Street is shedding a harsh light on economic inequality, Open City offers a unique platform for writers to tell the stories of low-income Americans too often ignored or misrepresented. If you’re an emerging creative nonfiction writer looking for financial support, a work space and career mentorship, apply to become a Creative Nonfiction Fellow. You’ll help us document the rapidly growing, transforming and challenging experience of what it means to be Asian American in urban New York today.” No application fee. Deadline: February 17, 2012. Click here for the call and application guidelines (scroll up for the full announcement; hat tip to @alexanderchee).
“The SonEdna Foundation [Miss.] develops and produces literary programs that benefit the Mississippi Delta and beyond. We are currently seeking our first full-time Executive Director – someone who is looking for a challenging opportunity to lead the organization through its next stage of growth. Established in 2006, SonEdna has developed a solid reputation for innovative and high quality programming with established and aspiring writers throughout the United States. With a good beginning, the organization is poised to grow substantially with the right leadership.”
“The University of Mary Hardin Baylor’s College of Humanities [Texas] is seeking two full-time, tenure-track faculty positions in English, beginning in August of 2011. UMHB seeks faculty who are active Christians and dedicated teacher-scholars to prepare students for leadership, service, and faith-informed discernment in a global society. UMHB is conveniently located in Belton, an historic town of 18,000 in the heart of central Texas. Excellent schools, abundant cultural and recreational opportunities, and a high quality of life are hallmarks of the local community. Faculty Responsibilities: Activities required of all faculty include curriculum development; applied research; student recruitment and advising; professional/instruction development; and service to department college, university and the community. UMHB places emphasis upon teaching and academic research. English Faculty Responsibilities: Teach all levels of English classes including freshman composition and sophomore-level literature. Upper-level classes would include Creative Writing and Prosody. Full-time faculty members typically will teach 12 hours per semester with three course preparations.”
Monmouth University (N.J.) is looking for a Web Writer, the Pew Research Center (Washington) seeks a Senior Web Editor, and the Thomas B. Fordham Institute (Ohio) seeks applicants for a position as Writer and Policy Analyst.
There’s a lot to absorb in this Fiction Writers Review interview with Joan Leegant. Stick with it to the end–especially if you’re one of us writers who didn’t have a first book published in our twenties (or thirties).
Daniel Nester asks, “What are the ‘rules’ of a creative writing workshop?”
On a related note, Lily Hoang presents the syllabus for the first MFA workshop (fiction) that she’s teaching.
And while we’re still talking about pedagogy: Congratulations to Stephanie Vanderslice, whose book Rethinking Creative Writing is now available in hard copy as well as in e-book version. (Stephanie is running a contest to mark this milestone: check her blog for details, and revisit our interview here.)
There are some real gems in this issue of Nieman Reports, “Writing the Book.” Given the source, the material will appeal especially to nonfiction writers, but there’s likely something useful for all practicing writers in these virtual pages. Sections include:”Concept to Content,” “Platform to Audience,” and “Voice to Visual.”
It’s the last day for you to become eligible to win a free copy of Quiet Americans!
“The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award brings together talented writers, reviewers, and publishing experts to find and develop new voices in fiction. The 2012 international contest will award two grand prizes: one for General Fiction and one for Young Adult Fiction. Each winner will receive a publishing contract with Penguin, which includes a $15,000 advance.” No entry fee. Deadline: February 5, 2012.
The Flatt Prize for Literature welcomes submissions of short stories (no longer than 3,000 words). “The theme for the short story is to be inspired by the title ‘INTERRUPTED’.” $1,000 prize. No entry fee. Deadline: February 29, 2012.
Lilith magazine, which describes itself as “independent, Jewish & frankly feminist,” has extended the deadlines for its annual poetry and fiction contests. No entry fees; cash prizes plus publication.
Poetry competition for Michigan college students seeks poems “that strive to define Michigan by looking at its history and roots, its contemporary culture, and all the dreams for its future.” Prizes of $250 and $150 will be awarded to two winning poems, which will be featured in a nature walk featuring sculpture and poetry. No entry fee. Deadline: April 30, 2012.
“Green College at the University of British Columbia invites applications from Canadian writers normally resident outside the Lower Mainland of BC, for the position of Canada Council Writer-in-Residence at the College. The term of the residency will be three months within the period between September 1 and December 15, 2012, subject to funding approval.” Applications are due February 1, 2012. No application fee.
“Quinnipiac University [Conn.] invites applications for an Assistant Professor position beginning in Fall 2012. This is a full-time, non-tenure track renewable term appointment in creative writing with a specialization in poetry. Applicants must have an MFA or Ph.D. in creative writing completed by August 2012. We seek candidates with a demonstrated commitment to undergraduate teaching and an established publishing history. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in both traditional and innovative forms, including multidisciplinary, multimedia, and digital approaches to poetry.
RT Book Reviews Magazine is looking for a Magazine Editor/Writer. From the MediaBistro.com listing (you need a [free] account to access the listings): “Nationally distributed consumer book review magazine is seeking a true book lover who is a professional editor with at least three years of writing, interviewing and editing experience. No literary snobs please! We cover all forms of women’s genre fiction (romance, young adult and womens mystery, sci-fi and fantasy etc.).”
Bucknell University (Penn.) is looking for a Senior Writer, the University of Colorado-Boulder seeks a Communications Project Manager (Writer/Editor), and InsideOUT Writers (IOW; Los Angeles), “a team-oriented non-profit organization has two innovative programs for youth and young adults who have been impacted by the criminal justice system,” is looking for a Writing Program Director.