Erika Dreifus

I’ll let you in on a little secret about me. Actually, for most people who know me, it’s not much of a secret. This is it: sad to say, I am not a “pet person.”

Still, I notice news and announcements for pet- and animal-related publications. Here are two.

First, Onthebitmagazine.com, a start-up monthly equestrian magazine, will launch in May 2006. They’re looking for writers. They want features, interviews, and (listen up, my book reviewing friends!), reviews. They’ll pay $.15/word (on publication). Note that they do buy all rights, so if that’s an issue for you, be forewarned. To read the full announcement, visit craigslist.

The second item I’m listing just because I have a lot of writer acquaintances who love dogs. Dog Health Magazine is looking for personal stories “involving your relationship with a dog(s). The story should describe in as much detail as possible a situation or event that demonstrates how your bond with a dog was deepened in some way. The story should focus on the aspects of dogs as leaders, as teachers, as inspiration and as companions who are equal to humans (if not higher) in empathy, intelligence and understanding.”

The announcement notes that “If your story is selected for our Web Magazine, you’ll win one of our $100 story prizes.” Which is fine. But I’m a little concerned about the fine print on “terms and conditions,” including the following:

“DH companies shall exclusively own all known or later existing rights to the Submissions worldwide and shall be entitled to the unrestricted use of the Submissions for any purpose without compensation to the provider of Submissions.”

I’d advise anyone thinking about submitting here to ask if this means all submissions (even those not selected for publication) are also then owned by the publisher. Hopefully, that’s not the case. But it is nebulous. At least it seems nebulous to me.

To read the announcement for yourself, visit the Web site.

If you thought you’d missed your chance to submit a poem for The Writer magazine’s Online Poetry Spotlight, you’ll be happy to know that until May 15 you can submit a poem for expert critique in the second “session.”

If your entry is selected for critique (provided by several award-winning poets) you’ll receive a one-year subscription to the magazine. The poem (with critiques) will be posted on the Web site’s Poetry Spotlight forum in June. The best Spotlight poem posted on the Web site in 2006 will receive $100. There’s NO ENTRY/READING FEE.

More guidelines/submission instructions available here.

My afternoon photography class–which was supposed to teach me how to work with the photos I’ve been taking on my new digital camera–was cancelled. So I’m struggling along in autodidact mode. Please have patience!

My goal is to get this photo posted over in my “profile.” Among other things getting in my way is the photo file size. I think I figured out how to take “smaller” pictures in the first place (amazing what the user manuals can teach us). But I’m beginning to get the sense that I need an updated iPhoto program; at the moment I’m reluctant to shell out the money for one. Anyone have Mac-specific advice here?

As a follow-up to last week’s post on my own writing for family history and genealogy magazines, here’s an article highlighting some market possibilities in that field. Enjoy!

Sorry about this, folks. I noticed this announcement in the April 1, 2006, ImageUpdate newsletter, but am only posting it today.

Seattle Pacific University’s MFA in Creative Writing program has an open Program Coordinator position. The job is half-time but is more demanding—and, dare we say it, rewarding?—than your typical 20 hour a week job. The MFA Program Coordinator will both attend and coordinate all the details for the program’s two annual intensive, ten-day residencies—one at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island in Washington, and one in Santa Fe, New Mexico during the Glen Workshop. In addition to working at the residencies, the PC gets to attend lectures, readings, concerts, and worship services—and there’s even some time for hiking and goofing off. Perhaps most importantly, the PC builds strong relationships with the MFA students, frequently serving as “den mother” to the group. The PC will also attend and coordinate all the details of travel, accommodation, and attendance for the annual AWP conference, which features many fascinating panels, keynote addresses, and plenty of literary camaraderie. Other duties include working with the MFA director (Gregory Wolfe) on the admissions process, working with the MFA budget, and other related tasks. The PC may also choose to volunteer to work with the Image staff on a number of projects—they’re right down the hall. This position provides an opportunity to deepen your own passion for writing and the arts. We are trying to fill this position no later than mid-May. Please contact Gregory Wolfe with any inquiries, gwolfe(at)spu(dot)edu.

For more information on SPU’s MFA program, please go to www.spu.edu/mfa.

(You can read the entire newsletter here.)