5.27.2009

Writers of the Future!

For all you new/amateur sci-fi and fantasy writers (and illustrators), here's a writing contest for you!*

"Established in 1983 by L. Ron Hubbard expressly for the aspiring writer, Writers of the Future has become the most respected and significant forum for new talent in all aspects of speculative fiction."--www.writersofthefuture.com (I love the use of "speculative fiction.")

According to the website, the Writers of the Future contest has deadlines about every 3 months, including the upcoming deadline of June 30th (rules here). There's no entry fee and all of the rights remain with the author, so why not? Especially since there's money to be made: First Prize of $1,000, a Second Prize of $750, and a Third Prize of $500 (every contest).

*This may or may not be run by Scientologists... enter at your own risk.

5.20.2009

Talk To Me Baby

Another mild obsession of mine is the art of the interview. I've been reading many of them in various literary magazines (both print and online) and have noticed a few things that irk me:


1) when interviewers seem more exited by their own ideas than those presented by the interviewee (visually represented by large paragraphs of interviewer extrapolation with short replies by interviewee)
2) when interviewers completely lack presence, ask generic questions, or disrupt the flow of conversation to ask a completely irrelevant question, just to check it off the list (visually rep'd by short "mmhmm," "yes," or "ok" answers to interviewees responses)
3) when an interview reads like it's been edited (visually rep'd by the lack of human error--the only person exempt from this is Truman Capote, he just talks like that, it's not his fault) or when it actually HAS been edited
4) when an interviewee explains the essence of their profession in absolutes (example: "in order to be a writer you have to..." or "writers need..."). You'd think that writers of all people would understand how many types of people are out there. There is no definitive way to "be a writer" other than to write.


Why do we read interviews? To catch a glimpse of the un-edited version of people we admire (or don't). We want to feel like we're present and witnessing (even engaging in) real dialogue with the writer, editor, idol, Jesus, whoever. As a positive example of an interview executed deftly and subtly I give you an interview with Chris Wiman, by El Capitan de Book Slut, Jessa Crispin.


There's a natural ebb and flow of ideas and information between Crispin and Wiman here. While perhaps you learn more about the interviewer than necessary, it adds to the natural feel of the conversation. The exchange allows Wiman to feel engaged in a normal chat with a colleague rather than grilled in the spotlight. While I can't attest to his personal feelings on the matter, I would think it would let him speak more freely about himself. She gently leads him through topics, not sticking on any one subject too long but allowing the thoughts to segue nicely. Oh, gentle leader.


A great interview doesn't need to read eloquently. The interviewee might even look back on it and wince a bit. To this I say an enthusiastic "yay!" To writers who feel the need to edit your interviews--why don't you just go write an essay? At least then you're not misleading your audience. Heaven, and James Frey, know how much readers hate to be tricked.


Or, as Shane Jones put it, "Interviews are odd things and I wonder how I come off. I’m not sure it’s possible to fuck up an interview. I guess if I said something like “I like to rape kittens,” then that would cause a negative reaction and books wouldn’t be sold. The other side is I can be really smart and clever and charming and people want to buy the book. Really, I’m just trying to answer interview questions honestly and kind of quickly"(from an interview by Laura Van Den Berg, Book Slut).



Afterthought: Somehow all of this got me thinking about those "gentle leader" harness/muzzles you see on dogs sometimes, so I'll give you a pictures of that too:


He just looks silly.

5.19.2009

A Novel Idea

Anyone up for a challenge? "The World's Most Notorious Literary Marathon" challenges you to complete a fiction masterpiece in three days. You read that right, three days. The contest has been around since 1977 and attracts writers from around the world. It will take place September 5-7 this year. While you don't need to submit your final work to participate, winning = publication. So stock up on supplies, strap on your depends, and go for it!

Elmore Leonard: National Treasure

A quick link in honor of my dad, who looooves Elmore Leonard. Part review of E.L.'s latest novel, Road Dogs, part essay on why he is a "national treasure" from Patrick Anderson, Washington Post. Is it weird that I think Elmore is a really cool name? Like Elmo, only jazzier.

Update: My dad's response was "I go through his books the way a stoner with munchies goes through snack food." Oh, and he recommends E.L.'s westerns over his crime stories.

5.18.2009

An afternoon snack

If you've never read Oscar Wilde's fairy tales, you're in for a real treat. If you have read them, well, now you have a way to read them anywhere the internet exists. Be sure to read "The Happy Prince," and make sure you have some tissues nearby, it's a heartbreaker.

Wonder of Wonders: Simultaneous Submissions

Now for some practical stuff.


Submitting my work for publication is hands down my favorite thing to do. I mean, who doesn't enjoy spending years reading literary magazines, hand picking the mag that is THE ONE, spending days/weeks/months selecting the perfect poems in the perfect order and then another week editing and re-editing the cover letter to strike that delicate balance of confidence, familiarity, and intrigue just to get that generic "we're just not that into you" email after months of anticipation? Then you spend a few days feeling like that time in high school when you got rejected by the boy you'd been secretly pining after since 2nd grade. But, it was so meant to be, right? Time to move on.


This is where my mother would say something to the effect of "don't put all your eggs in one basket." Except, inevitably she would mix up the saying with another proverbial gem and come out with something like "don't count all your eggs into baskets." So. What to do? Mix it up a bit and try throwing many eggs into many well rounded baskets. This is where the glory of glories, miracle of miracles--also known as simultaneous submissions--comes in. While I'm sure this concept isn't new news, I thought it would be helpful to provide a list of some good literary magazines* that accept simultaneous submissions for your submitting pleasure (and please if you know any others--add them in the comments!):


Agni

Artful Dodge

Bellingham Review

Black Warrior Review

Cimarron Review

Crab Orchard Review

Crazyhorse

Denver Quarterly

Gulf Coast--the site doesn't specify whether it accepts S.S. or not, but I've been told they do

Harpur Palate

Haydens Ferry Review

Mid-American Review

Parthenon West Review

Pleiades

Quarterly West

Shenandoah

Slice

Smartish Pace

Southern Review

The American Poetry Journal

Third Coast

Three Penny Review

West Branch

EDIT: Glimmer Train (short stories only)
Bat City Review 

*Most of these accept both poetry and fiction, although some are only poetry reviews!

Now, happy submitting!

5.17.2009

Hello there.

Well, hello there blogosphere (not to be confused with "Blagosphere"). Here I give you stuff for people who write, read, or just like to read about people who write. Most importantly, I'll share relevant links and ideas for you, my fellow writers and readers--places to submit, free online resources, contests, book reviews, and literary news to name a few. And maybe one day, I'll host some contests and you'll get some goodies.

To start things off I give you a link to an interview with Dorothy Parker--that clever, insightful, and hilarious woman--from The Paris Review, 1956. Known for her wit, Parker was the first to debunk and undermine any praise of it in, of course, inevitably witty statements. Of all the famous writers interviews collected in the Paris Review Interviews Vol. I, she is thus far my favorite. Granted, there are two more volumes to consider, but I seriously doubt any other writer will be able to make me snort and chuckle nearly as much. (You can read all the interviews for free on their site or buy their selected interviews in collected volumes.

Enjoy that tasty treat--and come back for seconds.