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SUNDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Calls for Submissions, Contests, Events and Other Information and News

HELP FOR AT-RISK POETS, WRITERS, ARTISTS

A Place for Freelance Writers and Artists, The Haven Foundation (created by Stephen King) “gives financial assistance to provide temporary support needed to safeguard and sustain the careers of established freelance artists, writers and other members of the arts and art production communities who have suffered disabilities or experienced a career-threatening illness, accident, natural disaster or personal catastrophe. Grants are awarded and renewed at the discretion of the Haven Foundation Board.” Details including eligibility guidelines and application are HERE.

The Authors League Fund (writers helping writers) has assisted professional writers and dramatists who find themselves in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income, or other misfortune. Details HERE.

Human Rights Watch administers the Hellman/Hammett Grants program for writers who have been victims of political persecution or are in financial need.Hellman/Hammett grants typically range from $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000. In addition to providing much needed financial assistance, the Hellman/Hammett grants focus attention on repression of free speech and censorship by publicizing the persecution that the grant recipients endured. Details HERE: 212 292 4700

PEN Writers’ Fund Grants of up to $2,000 available to published writers in acute financial crisis. No membership necessary. Application and details HEREarielle@pen.org Note the next deadline is February 15.

FELLOWSHIP

The Oxford American welcomes submissions for The Oxford American Jeff Baskin Writers Fellowship. Fellow will receive a $10,000 living stipend, housing, and an editorial apprenticeship with the Oxford American toward a nine-month residency in the thriving creative capital, Central Arkansas. Submissions are open until March 24, 2018. Read more about eligibility and guidelines, here.

CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS

Opportunity Knocks

COTTON XENOMORPH a relatively new “journal produced with the mission to showcase new and ecstatic art” focused on social justice. Its editors categorize it as a “no creeps” publication … that is, no xenophobes, sexist, fat-shamers and the like … much the spirit of The BeZine. Nice!  Although new, it’s clearly getting its groove on with a nice mix of poetry, fiction and visual arts are of interest. No submission charges. No payment. Copyright remains with the author. Details HERE.

ECOTONE MAGAZINE, Reimaging Place, a publication of University of North Carolina Wilmington, is published twice a year and features prose and poetry. Submissions are open from August 15–September 5, and again from December 15–January 5. Mark your calendar. Details HERE.

FIELDS MAGAZINE publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry and visual arts. Submission are accepted on a rolling basis. Query for articles, profiles, interviews and essays. $3 submission fee to help defray operational costs, which may be deferred in hardship cases. Details HERE.

HERON TREE:  invites submissions through 8 April 2018 for a special series devoted to visual poetry crafted for presentation in a black-and-white format. “Visual poetry” means different things to different people, and the editors are open to a wide range of submissions, including but by no means limited to: concrete poetry, calligrams, altered text, erasures, typewriter art, asemics, abstractions, collages of words and/or images, poems in which visual arrangement is primary and unconventional, and poems that aren’t readable out loud but communicate visually. Accepted pieces will be published on the Heron Tree website (herontree.com) and collected in a free, downloadable PDF e-volume.  Editorial reading and decisions are on a rolling basis. For more information about how to submit your work, visit herontree.com/how.

JOURNAL OF MODERN LITERATURE, UNIVERSITY OF INDIANA PRESS is published quarterly and welcomes submission on scholarly studies of literature in all languages. Details HERE.

NARRATIVELY, Human Stories, Boldly Told ” is devoted to original and untold human stories, delivered in the most appropriate format for each piece, from writing to short documentary films, photo essays, audio stories and comics journalism. We are always interested in adding new, diverse voices to the mix and we pay for stories. We accept both pitches for story ideas and completed submissions …”  Details HERE.

OXFORD AMERICAN publishes fiction and nonfiction and its window for submissions closes on September 1. Submission free. Details HERE.

WILDNESS REVIEW “is an online literary journal that seeks to promote contemporary fiction, poetry and non-fiction that evokes the unknown. Founded in 2015, each thoughtfully compiled issue strives to unearth the works of both established and up-and-coming writers.” This review works on a rolling submissions basis. Poetry (under 80 lines) and prose (under 2,500 words). No submission fees. No payment. Wilderness reviews does “nominate for most major prizes (Pushcart, Best of the Net, Best American, etc.) and continue to promote contributors after publication.” Details HERE.

WORDRUNNER eCHAPBOOKs publishes short stories collections and is open through April 15.  Some stories may be previously  published. Submission fee. Cash payment. Details HERE.

CONTESTS

Opportunity Knocks

THE ANTIVENOM POETRY AWARD sponsored by Elixir Press is for a first or second collection and is open through March 31. Cash award. Entry  fee. Details HERE.

THE ELIXIR PRESS 2018, FICTION AWARD for short story collections and novels is open for submissions through May 31 and offers a cash prize, publication and copies. Entry fee. Details HERE.

THE KILLER NASHVILLE CLAYMORE AWARD for English-language genre fiction (mystery and thriller) is open through April 1. Cash awards. Entry fees.  Details HERE.

THE NEW AMERICAN POETRY PRIZE “is awarded each year to a full-length collection of poetry. The winner receives $1,000 and a book contract, as well as 25 author’s copies and promotional support. The submission period is usually September 1 – January 1. Mark you calendar for 2018. Details HERE.

THE NEW AMERICAN FICTION PRIZE  is awarded each year to a full-length collection of fiction. The winner receives $1,000 and a book contract, as well as 25 author’s copies and promotional support. The submission period is usually February 15 – June 15.” Details HERE.

TIN HOUSE features fiction, nonfiction and poetry and accepts submissions March and September only. Details HERE.

EVENTS

  • Tin House Summer Workshop, July 8th-15th, Portland, OR is accepting application now. Details HERE.
  • National poetry Series Winners Reading, AWP Offsite Event, Tampa, Florida March 8 Details HERE.
  • Reading Queer: Poetry in a Time of Chaos, AWP off-site reading, Tampa, Florida, March 9 Details HERE.

100 Thousand Poets for Change (Official)'s photo.

FEB15 Reading: Michael Dickel, Kristine Snodgrass and Terri CarrionHosted by 100 Thousand Poets for Change (Official)

This reading and mixer event presents Michael Dickel, the first 2018 resident for the 100 Thousand Poets for Change On Lake Jackson Residency Program-Tallahassee, FL.

Michael Dickel’s (Meta/Phor(3)/Play) poetry has won international awards and has been translated into several languages. His most recent books of poetry include Breakfast at the End of Capitalism (2017) and The Palm Reading after The Toad’s Garden (2016). He is co-editor of Voices Israel Volume 36 (2010), was managing editor for arc-23 and 24, and is a past-chair of the Israel Association of Writers in English. With producer / director David Fisher, he received an NEH documentary-film development grant. Michael Dickel lives in Jerusalem.

Kristine Snodgrass is the author of most recently Out of the World (Hysterical Books, 2016), Co-director of Anhinga Press, and a professor at FAMU. She loves collaborating and is always searching for new projects with artists and poets.

Terri Carrión was conceived in Venezuela and born in New York to a Galician mother and Cuban father. Her poetry, fiction, non-fiction, translations, and photography has appeared and disappeared in print and online. She is assistant editor and art designer for Bigbridge.org., and co-founder of the global grassroots movement 100 Thousand Poets for Change.

 

Accessible anytime from anywhere in the world:

  • The Poet by Day always available online with poems, poets and writers, news and information.
  • The Poet by Day, Wednesday Writing Prompt, online every week (except for vacation) and all are invited to take part no matter the stage of career (emerging or established) or status (amateur or professional). Poems related to the challenge of the week (always theme based not form based) will be published here on the following Tuesday.
  • The Poet by Day, Sunday Announcements. Every week (except for vacation) opportunity knocks for poets and writers.
  • THE BeZINE, Be Inspired, Be Creative, Be Peace, Be – always online HERE.  
  • Beguine Again, daily inspiration and spiritual practice  – always online HERE.  Beguine Again is the sister site to The BeZine.

ONLINE POETRY COMMUNITIES

All Poetry dubs itself the largest poetry community, more than 500,000 poets. “Friendly advice and encouragement and detailed critiques when you’re ready. All Poetry hosts free contests with $50 cash prizes, active discussion forums, and an annual anthology to which you may contribute.” Free and optional paid monthly memberships are available. (I have not sampled this myself, but a friend has and reports a mostly positive experience. She was involved for several years.)

d’Verse Poets Pub “is a place for poets and writers to gather to celebrate poetry. We are many voices, but one song. Our goal is to celebrate; poets, verse & the difference it can make in the world. To discover poetry’s many facets and revel in it’s beauty, even when ugly at times.” This is a smaller and more intimate group than All Poetry (above) would appear to be. I can testify that there are some excellent poets participating and coaching one another. This is quite an ambitious project, long running and lead by a dedicated team.

YOUR SUNDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS may be emailed to thepoetbyday@gmail.com. Please do so at least a week in advance.

If you would like me to consider reviewing your book, chapbook, magazine or film, here are some general guidelines:

  • send PDF to jamiededes@gmail.com (Note: I have a backlog of six or seven months, so at this writing I suggest you wait until June 2018 to forward anything. Thank you!)
  • nothing that foments hate or misunderstanding
  • nothing violent or encouraging of violence
  • English only, though Spanish is okay if accompanied by translation
  • your book or other product  should be easy for readers to find through your site or other venues.

TO CONTACT ME WITH ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION FOR THE POET BY DAY: thepoetbyday@gmail.com

TO CONTACT ME REGARDING SUBMISSIONS FOR THE BeZINE: bardogroup@gmail.com

PLEASE do not mix the communications between the two.

Often information is just that–information – and not necessarily recommendation. I haven’t worked with all the publications or other organizations featured in my regular Sunday Announcements or other announcements shared on this site. Awards and contests are often (generally) a means to generate income, publicity and marketing mailing lists for the host organizations, some of which are more reputable than others. I rarely attend events anymore. Caveat Emptor: Please be sure to verify information for yourself before submitting work, buying products, paying fees or attending events et al.

ABOUT THE POET BY DAY

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The Sixth Mass Extinction, a poem

THE SIXTH MASS EXTINCTION

the ghosts of our parents search vainly
for wildflowers near the beach at Big Sur

they were deaf to the threat in thunder,
but we were struck by lightning,
heaved in the rain and waves and
the overflow from the melting ice

the computers went down
their screens black as the wicked water,
in whirling chaos they morphed into drums

every fetus turned in the womb,
the men went to the mountain tops
and the women sheltered in caves

the souls of saints and sinners
were run through a cosmic wash cycle
after the spin dry, a new wisdom

but the shades of our parents remain,
they wait in vain for us at Big Sur,
in vain by the Santa Lucia Mountains

“We tell our children they’re trapped like rats on a doomed, bankrupt, gangster-haunted planet with dwindling resources, with nothing to look forward to but rising sea levels and imminent mass extinctions, then raise a disapproving eyebrow when, in response, they dress in black, cut themselves with razors, starve themselves, gorge themselves, or kill one another.” Scottish comic book writer and playwright Grant Morrison, MBE (b. 1960)

© 2012, poem (old one/minor edits), Jamie Dedes, All rights reserved; Bill Nye poster courtesy of Climate Action Reserve

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THE POET BY DAY: What’s it all about?

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
Mary Oliver

What’s it all about?  

In a quiet way, this site is a rebellion against elitism in the world of poetry. It specializes in featuring talented but lesser know poets and underrepresented voices. It also features poetry initiatives for peace, sustainability and social justice and poetry news, events and publication opportunities. It supports freedom of expression.

Its purpose is to gratify my own pleasure in the world of poetry, to acknowledge poets, to encourage poets and writers (including those just finding their voices) and to explore the world of poetry, to honor the space in which poetry bares witness and offers us comfort and vision.

The name “The Poet by Day” is not a reference to me. It is in part to remind myself not to stay up all night reading and writing. However fun that might be, it’s just not healthy.

“The Poet by Day” gives a nod to a desire I believe we share: that our art is/could be our day job. The name, however, is primarily meant as encouragement to take it a day at a time, to be present in this moment and in our work, and to regularly exercise the writing muscle.

I hope people write whatever the spirit moves them to write about in whatever form/s feel natural to them and without comparing their work to that of others or worrying unduly about publication.

“To gain your own voice, you have to forget about having it heard.” Allen Ginsberg years and years ago in Writer’s Digest 

The daily order is to free your creative spirit, to find yourself in your art. Your poetry – or whatever subtle alchemy calls to you – is first a gift you give to yourself. All else will follow.

© 2018, text, Jamie Dedes, All rights reserved

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This Wednesday Writing Prompt is courtesy of Priscilla Galasso and Steve Wiencek

Priscilla and Steve

When we talk about Environmental Justice, it is sometimes assumed that people will agree on what is ‘the right thing to do’. However, as with anything else, our decision-making about Justice is influenced by our values, by the things that we deem ‘special’, ‘important’, or ‘sacred’. We propose that there are (at least) three categories of valued environments, or ‘Holy Ground’: Nature, Place and Community. Think about these three different arenas and how you see Justice being applied to them.

For example, if Community is your value, you may feel that Environmental Justice has to do with how people are impacted and how human activity creates change. If Place is your value, then questions about Justice probably will involve a particular area with borders of a physical or conceptual nature. It may be that feelings of injustice are felt in terms of ‘This, not That’ or ‘Us, not Them’ or in a desire to see a Place resist change. If Nature is your value, then you may see Justice in more fluid terms as the balance of resources between producers/consumers and prey/predator is in a state of constant flux with perhaps no ultimate goal.

So, as you sit down to write about Environmental Justice in your unique voice, identify your values. Perhaps use the lenses of Nature, Place and Community to focus. What is important to you? Why? How does it affect your decision-making? What factors impact this ‘sacred’ ground? How do different cultural models or systems impact your cherished home? What feelings arise in you – what empathy for Living Things or Living Habitats? What fears?

Thank you for spending time with these concepts and these questions. Your presence, your life energy, and your embodiment of love is a gift that we are privileged and honored to receive. Please, share your poems with us!

© 2016, text and photographs (above and below), Priscilla Galasso and Steve Wiencek, All rights reserved.

WEDNESDAY WRITING PROMPT

 All poems shared in response to the theme “Environmental Justice” suggested by Priscilla and Steve will be published here next Tuesday.  You are welcome to come out to play no matter the status of your career: beginner, emerging or pro. Leave your poem or a link to it in the comments section below. You have until Monday at 8:30 pm PST to respond.  If you are responding for the first time, please be sure to send a short bio and photo to thepoetbyday@gmail.com.Your bio and photo will be posted with your first poem by way of introduction.

PRISCILLA GALASSO (scillagrace, striving to live gracefully) is a member of The Bardo Group Beguines, the core team that publishes The BeZine. Her stellar essays and stunning photography are as outstanding as her commitment to environmental protection and the wilderness.  She began blogging some time ago and this is what she has to say about that adventure: “Inspired by my sister’s Flickr 365 project on her 50th year, I began my own venture of self-discovery with my blog. My life had changed dramatically in the previous 5 years, and I had changed with it. My husband died, my kids moved out, I sold our home and moved in with a tall, dark Scorpio named Steve.  I had a lot to process, a lot to learn about growing up and being responsible in this Universe.  My eyes are open in a way they have never been before, and I want to share my vision and experiences.” Link HERE for an interview with Priscilla.

STEVE WIENCEK (Scholar and Poet Books, EBay and Scholar and Poet Books, Abe Books ) is the owner and founder of Scholar and Poet Books. He helped out with the September 2016 issue of The BeZine, which addressed environmental issues.  You can read his feature article, Nature … Place … Community HERE.  Steve says of his independent online store:  “We are experienced book, music and video sellers. Our extensive and varied inventory includes a large collection of classical music CDs, LPs and sheet music; colorful and hard-to-find vintage GGA pulp fiction paperbacks; vintage children’s books and more! Find us and like us on Facebook, please!”

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