Resources
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ASBPE Editorial/Magazine Publishing Resources
The American Society of Business Publication Editors' website offers this extensive page of links for journalists, including trade associations, reference sites, job markets and legal basics.
Arts Writers Grant Program
The Creative Capital | Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant Program supports individual writers whose work addresses contemporary visual art through grants in the following categories: articles, blogs, books, new and alternative media, and short-form writing. Grants range from $3,000 to $50,000 depending on the needs and scope of the project. Application deadline is typically in early June.
Anne R. Allen’s Blog…with Ruth Harris
Comic mystery writer Anne R. Allen publishes weekly posts about publishing and marketing your books in the digital age. Guest columnist Ruth Harris is a New York Times bestselling author and former Big Six editor who contributes a post each month. Popular posts include "Top Ten Questions from New Writers", "Top 10 Self-Sabotaging Mistakes of Author-Bloggers", and "12 Signs Your Novel Isn't Ready to Publish".
American Literary Translators Association: Awards
The American Literary Translators Association awards five major prizes at its annual conference: the National Translation Award in Poetry and Prose, for an exceptional book of translated literature published within the previous year; the Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize, for an outstanding work of Asian literature published within the previous year; the Italian Prose in Translation Award (IPTA), for an exceptional work of Italian prose in English translation; and the Cliff Becker Book Prize, for an unpublished book-length manuscript of poetry in translation. They also offer the ALTA Travel Fellowships for emerging translators to attend the annual conference, including the Peter K. Jansen Memorial Travel Fellowship.
Allison Amend’s Instructions for a Do-It-Yourself Book Tour
In this article from the Glimmer Train website, literary fiction author Allison Amend shares road-tested practical advice for small press authors. Amend's IPPY Award-winning debut short story collection, 'Things That Pass for Love', was published in October 2008 by OV/Dzanc Books, and her novel, 'Stations West', is due out from Louisiana State University Press's Yellow Shoe Fiction Series.
The Egret Tree, South of Haifa
By KJ Hannah Greenberg
The Egret Tree, South of Haifa
Bloomed feathers whiting away
Days over fish ponds
(Meant to feed a small country).
Our bus chugged along;
You coiled sleep
Where suitcases and boxes overflowed;
Leftover lunch at sixty kilometers.
Toward Yerushalyim,
Thousands years' more history,
Than dreams could conjure,
Walked among lanes.
Only the shirut driver knows
Dismembered babies paid hard
Currency for vacationers' safety;
The desert's mystery's more than sand.
This poem is reprinted from Ms. Greenberg's new collection Citrus-Inspired Ceramics (Aldrich Press, 2013). It originally appeared in Scribblers on the Roof, June 2010.
Querencia,
By Diana Anhalt a word that inhabits my Spanish-speaking mouth, lies under my tongue and smells of evergreens, and rainy Mondays, smoke. From the word querer— to want, desire, wish. It refers to bulls who seek their place of solace in the ring. For the waif in every living creature. I think of the neighbor's dachshund hunkered under the porch, the sparrow haunting a fallen tree, the child afraid to stray too far from his mother's side. We took to driving the Cuernavaca highway and parked in the clearing with that Mexico City view. As the air turned hazy with cigarette smoke, we'd drink wine from the bottle, talk and listen to danzones on the radio. We drove away soon after, took our memories with us, haven't returned. After years away, our key no longer fits the lock. And our home, grown used to strangers' feet, is home no... [continue]
Our Mothers Would Not Let Us Watch
By Linda Neal Reising Our mothers would not let us watch from any closer than the backyard. There were no sirens or flashing lights, only a row of rusty pickups and one sheriff's car. The men were fishing the mine pits, those gaping mouths that never swallowed, except during July and August when the sun glinted off the water, sending a secret code to summer-bleached boys. There was a fence, but its sagging wires called sneakered feet to climb, "Come learn the truth the parents try to hide." They shed their clothes and left them, shells on a chatpile beach. The men plucked three bodies out and gently laid them on the tailgates. When my father returned, I wanted to ask him what they looked like up close. Were their eyes open? Had the water leached the tan from their arms? Instead, he grabbed my shoulders and shook me... [continue]
Advice from the Judge of the War Poetry Contest
Jendi Reiter judged the War Poetry Contest sponsored by Winning Writers from 2002-2011 (the contest is currently inactive). She shares her advice on reading thousands of war poems. TOPIC AND VIEWPOINT Subtlety wins points with us, and probably with most of the quality contests you'll enter. The more straightforward and simple your message, the harder you must work to make the language fresh and give real individuality to the characters and scenes. Poems about such perennial topics as the loss of a loved one in war, the suffering of innocent civilians, or the heroism of soldiers absolutely must rise above generalities. Your English teacher was right: Show, don't tell. Avoid ideological oversimplification ("we are good/they are evil" or vice versa). This defeats the purpose of our contest, which is to encourage reflection about a complex and important human problem that defies easy solutions. Poems about specific events tend to... [continue]
Hans Christian Andersen: Fairy Tales and Stories
This website includes the full text of many of his stories in the 1872 English translation by H.P. Paull, plus links to biographical information and other resources.
LiveJournal
LJ offers a free service with optional paid add-ons
Blogger
Create your own weblog with this free, user-friendly service that offers a variety of templates. One of the more popular blog hosting services.
Avoiding Literary Agency Scams
Warning signs include agents who advertise too aggressively for new clients, or gather most of their fees from the writer rather than the publisher.
Fictionaut
The blog can be read by the general public. To join the social network, you need to request an invite via the link on their website.
Contemporary Poetry Review
Literary news, reviews and interviews help you take the pulse of the art without getting bogged down in jargon or ideology. Good links to work in other journals as well, such as this article on Classical Arabic Poetry.
American Translators Association
ATA's primary goals include fostering and supporting the professional development of translators and interpreters and promoting the translation and interpreting professions.
American Literary Translators Association
ALTA is a nonprofit arts organization located in Tuscon, AZ. It sponsors the prestigious National Translation Award.
Cyber English’s Glossary of Literary Terms
Maintained by the students in Cyber English.
Bloomsbury’s Writer’s Almanac
Bloomsbury's free online guide for unpublished writers gives wise advice: "An enquiry letter should be business-like. Don't grovel ('it would be an honour to be published by so distinguished a firm'), don't make jokes ('my Mum says it's smashing, but maybe you'll think she's prejudiced'), don't be aggressive ('I have chosen you to publish my book, kindly send me your terms by return')." Also free on the site, links to UK and Irish agents, US agents, and a searchable online database of cultural reference books.
BBC - Remembrance - Poetry and Art
Includes classic poems of World War I by Owen, Sassoon and others.
Agent Orange Quilt of Tears
Sale proceeds go to support Agent Orange victims and widows.
An Incomplete History of Slam
"For us in Chicago, there's the happy memory and joy that our child, our visceral, cranky, energetic and conscious hometown poetry, has taken a life of its own in the whole of the world."
92nd Street Y Virtual Poetry Center
Featured authors include Truman Capote, Chinua Achebe, Joyce Carol Oates, Doris Lessing, and Norman Mailer.
Buddhist Poetry Review
"Our vision encompasses the full spectrum of Buddhism, and we welcome submissions from authors who write from any perspective." Submissions are accepted via their online form. See website for special themes for each issue.
Arts and Faith
Discussions of literature, music, visual and performing arts from a spiritual perspective.
Absolute Write Water Cooler
Absolute Write's Bewares and Background Check forum is invaluable for discussions of questionable agents and publishers.
ABC Tales
Visit the discussion forums to post poems, chat about literature, and exchange tips for getting published. Now offering free webpages for all its members, sponsored by eTribes, a leading UK blogging service.
Goodreports.net
News and commentary on book publishing by the uninhibited Alex Good.
Arts Journal: Publishing
A quick way to get up to speed on the major stories.
Getting Along with Grief
"Grief is more a recovery process than a traditional 'healing' process. It is not something we get over, as much as it is a set of experiences and emotions that we learn to live with, as we live on in our own lives." Check website for monthly themes for submissions.
A.Word.A.Day
Hosted by Anu Garg. Follow AWAD on Twitter.
A Guide to Verse Forms
Bob Newman has found exquisite forms to frame your words. Bone up on Chant Royal, Domino Rhyme, Rhopalics and Rubaiyat. An idiosyncratic links page presents treasures like Arnaut & Karkur's ultimate on-line prosody resource, a great resource to learn about important verse forms.
A Gift of Ghazals
The ghazal is a poetic form from the Arabian Peninsula popularized in the modern West by the late Agha Shahid Ali. This essay shares Ali's insights into this challenging, rewarding structure, whose literal meaning is "flirtation".
American Life in Poetry
Weekly column by former US poet laureate Ted Kooser presents contemporary American poems and a short discussion of the techniques that make them effective. This series is designed to be reprinted for free by newspapers and online periodicals (with attribution), in order to create a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. You may also sign up for free weekly emails. Sponsored by The Poetry Foundation and the Library of Congress.
BlueToad
BlueToad helps you publish your content on the web, tablets and mobile devices at a resonable price. A "Hands Free Package" is available if you need maximum support.
Andrea Hurst & Associates Literary Management
This literary agency generously shares a wealth of industry information with the public. Literary agent Andrea Hurst's website features weekly interviews with publishing industry professionals, advice on book marketing, and manuscript consultations.
VistaPrint
Design your own postcards, greeting cards, business cards, flyers, stationery and promotional materials. Use VistaPrint's templates or upload your own artwork.
Google Ads
Pay by the click (simple) or target a cost per action (such as a sale). If you plan to spend thousands of dollars per year on search engine advertising, consider hiring a consultant to help you avoid wasting money.
Office Depot
Free delivery with qualifying orders.
48 Hour Books
This self-publishing company promises quick turnaround and responsive customer service. Pricing is easy to calculate on the website.
Alabama Prison Arts & Education Project
Located at Auburn University, APAEP offers classes in the arts and humanities to inmates in Alabama state prisons. The Project has created a travelling exhibit of "Art on the Inside" and also publish an annual anthology of their students' work.
Black Lawrence Press
This well-regarded independent small press offers several annual contests for chapbooks and full-length collections of poetry and literary fiction. Order one book from the BLP catalog and receive a free subscription to editor Diane Goettel's weekly e-newsletter with tips for getting published by a small press.
Avantacular Press
This virtual press edited by Andrew Topel publishes e-chapbooks of visual poetry, a form that combines text with abstract art and other images. Email submissions to andrewtopel@hotmail.com.
Advice on How to Sell Poetry
Published poet Neile Graham offers a useful basic overview of manuscript formatting, submission etiquette, and researching markets for your work. "Whatever you do, do it because you believe in your work and you love writing. If you're doing it for recognition and glory you'll burn out fast."
A Winner’s Advice: Jennifer Perrine
Award-winning poet Jennifer Perrine talks about how she prepares her work for publication, and what attracted her to particular contests at different stages of her career. This interview appears on G&A: The Contest Blog, a feature on the Poets & Writers website.
The Poetry Society of America
Membership not only lets you enter PSA's quality contests for free, you also get free or discounted admission to readings and seminars, and a subscription to the Poetry Society's magazine, Crossroads. Excellent value. Sign up through PSA's website. Also at the site, do visit the Resource page (free to all) with towers of links to quality poetry journals, festivals, websites, publishers, MFA programs, bookstores and literary organizations.
The Poetry Society
Publishes Poetry Review and Poetry News, and sponsors Britain's longest running poetry competition.
The Museum of American Poetics
Seeks out diverse subcultures and genres. Special attention to multimedia presentations. Free video performances and lectures.
The Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP)
AWP's bimonthly magazine, The Writer's Chronicle, is well worth a subscription, and includes information on grants, awards and publishing opportunities. AWP members may access a special Job List of academic and non-academic jobs. Search AWP's extensive program directory for a writing program near you, and consider attending AWP's popular annual conference, a good value for its seminars, networking and readings.
Tennessee State Poetry League
The League publishes an annual anthology (with special editions for the blind and deaf), hosts monthly readings, and offers two annual fellowships for poets and artists. The poetry fellowship gives the author a choice of $1,000, a reading tour in Nashville, or publication of their manuscript in an edition of 500 copies. No website; email John D. Gosslee for more information.
