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Friday Finds for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

For the weekend: some writing-related reflections, news, and resources to enjoy.

  • First, a lovely post from Armand Inezian, on the general theme of “Ask not what you can do for your own sales, but how you can help the sales of others.”
  • Next: “How to Be a Contemporary Writer,” by Roxane Gay.
  • Reminders re: cliches to avoid (and a chance to win a free issue of Writer’s Digest).
  • Act fast (as in, today) to win a free Mediabistro course (or at least, a course discount).
  • An extensive list of (mainly free) readings and other literary events taking place this academic year on the campuses of The City University of New York. The list is frequently updated.

    • Have a great weekend, everyone. See you back here on Monday.

    Friday Find: Emily Barton’s Advice for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    MFA advice! Publishing advice! Jobs advice! “General Words of Wisdom.” You’ll find it all on Emily Barton’s website. Emily is a novelist and writing professor, and she knows her stuff. Check out her website’s excellent “advice for writers” page, freshly updated to address “How Can I Improve My Chances of Being Accepted to an Undergraduate Workshop?” and “How Do I Ask a Professor for a Letter of Reference?”.

    Have a good weekend, everyone. See you back here on Monday.

    Quotation of the Week: Steve Almond

    by Erika Dreifus on
    3

    “A generation ago, when ‘Annie Hall’ won the Oscar for Best Picture, talk therapy occupied a prominent place in our collective imagination, whether or not you partook. If you wanted to spend several hours a week baring your soul to a stranger who was professionally obligated to listen and react, you went into therapy. Today you join a writing workshop.”

    Source: Steve Almond, “Why Talk Therapy Is on the Wane and Writing Workshops Are on the Rise”

    (I may not agree with all of this piece, and I wouldn’t say that all workshoppers are would-be analysands. But there’s no question that I’ve been part of workshops where some of the folks in the room clearly wanted/needed to be in therapy. When I recall these individuals, I always hope that they have found the peace that seemed so sadly elusive for them.)

    The Wednesday Web Browser for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    4
  • If you’re an MFA student (past or present), or you teach in a graduate program in creative writing, please consider participating in Cathy Day’s quick survey on novels in MFA programs.
  • And on a somewhat related note: Since I seem to be having trouble enough writing anything long-form these days, my attention was caught by John Vanderslice’s post about his new workshop, which will focus on long poems.
  • The latest brouhaha in the creative-nonfiction world (check follow-up posts, too).
  • I was over on Carol Tice’s Make a Living Writing blog, and I just kept bookmarking posts to share with you. To save some time, I’ll simply send you to the homepage. Just keep scrolling down!
  • Another freelance tip: Consider the lesser-known holidays.

    • The Wednesday Web Browser for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    1
  • 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.”