Well, I recently got back from NYC after meeting with my editors, the book designer, and a million other great people at Free Press, the imprint of Simon & Schuster that is publishing my book, The Memory Palace. I am in the last leg of the production of this literary creature—I have to finish all the art and do several thousand more little things before it's actually sent off to be printed. I know I told you guys that I would do some posting on the book process, from start to finish, and I will, but it has become clear to me that I will be pretty crazy-busy until about mid-September. But if I can do anything on the subject before then, I will. In the meantime, I will just do my best to keep up with some deadlines. And speaking of writing and publishing books, here are some great opportunities for all you writers out there....Cheers, Mirabee.
(WRITERS) The Astrea Foundation Lesbian Writer's Fund: Two $10,000 grants to emerging lesbian poets and fiction writers. Two $1,500 grants are also given to finalists in each category. Applicants must have published work at least once in a newspaper, magazine, literary journal or anthology. For more information and guidelines, visit the website: http://www.astreafoundation.org. Deadline is July 15th, 2010.
(POETS) Frost Place Resident Poet Award: A prize of $1,000 and a six to eight week residency at Robert Frost's former home in Franconia, New Hampshire, is given each year to a poet, who has published at least one poetry collection. Email: frost@frostplace.org or visit the website for more information: www.frostplace.org. Deadline is July 2nd, 2010.
(WRITERS) Fil Prize in Romance Languages: A prize of $150,000 is given annually to honor a poet, fiction writer, or creative nonfiction writer who writes in Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Italian, French, Galician, or Roumanian. The prize is awarded by a consortium of Mexican governmental agencies, universities and banks. Individuals may not apply but cultural or educational institutions, associations or other cultural groups may nominate a candidate. Submit the writer's CV and a letter of support by June 15th. Email: filny@aol.com or visit the website for more info: www.fil.mx/ingles/i_index.asp.
***In cases like this, it is usually okay to ask someone you know to nominate you, if you think they could write a great letter of support.
(WRITERS & SCHOLARS) The Howard Foundation Fellowships: The Howard Foundation awards a limited number of fellowships each year for independent projects in selected fields. The Foundation targets its support specifically to early mid-career individuals, those who have achieved recognition for at least one major project. Approximately ten fellowships will be awarded in April 2011 for 2011-2012 in the fields of Creative nonfiction, literary translation (into English), Film Studies, and Literary Studies.
Stipends of $25,000 will be awarded to support individuals working on specific writing projects for the academic year 2011-2012. Howard Fellowships may not be used to prepare exhibits or to support institutional programs. There are no residency requirements for individuals who receive awards. The deadline for submission of applications is November 1, 2010. Fellowship recipients will be announced in April 2011. For more information and application guidelines, please write to: Howard_Foundation@brown.edu or visit the Web site: http://www.brown.edu/Howard_Foundation.
(WOMEN WRITERS) Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund: Individual artist grants for women, $500 to $1,500 each are given twice yearly to feminist writers. Women poets and creative nonfiction writers who are US and Canadian citizens can apply. I think the deadline is the end of June. Send an SASE for the entry form and guidelines. (They don't have a website so you must write them snail mail.): Susan Pliner, Executive Director, Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, Individual Artist Grants for Women, P.O. Box 309, Wilton, NH 03086.
***By the way, this organization really got hit hard by the crash. If you are feeling philanthropic this season, you might want to send them a wee donation. They could really use it!
(NONFICTION WRITERS) Richard J. Margolis Award: A stipend of $5,000 and a month-long residency at the Blue Mountain Center, an artists colony in Blue Mountain Lake, NY, is given annually to a nonfiction writer (including creative nonfiction but unfortunately, not memoir). Deadline is July 1st. Visit the website for details: www.margolis.com/award.