I'm Picking Up Lit Mag Vibrations!
Awards & recognition for older writers; thoughts on "Lucky Writer Syndrome;" upcoming conferences; jobs at One Story, Solstice; markets for flash nonfiction, reprints, and more
Welcome to our bi-weekly news roundup!
Greetings Lit Magmorials,
We’ve talked some about ageism in the lit mag world, and I know that’s a concern for many. Today I found this article about Deirdre Brennan, who recently won her first English-language poetry prize. Brennan is 89 years old.
Writes Sarah Harte at The Irish Examiner,
I mention [her age] only because it is virtually unheard of for somebody of her age to win a literary prize. When she was awarded the prize, Patrick Cotter, director of the Cork International Poetry Festival and Munster Literature Centre, commented: “When a very young poet wins a prize, a big deal is made of them, society at large rightly celebrates the arrival of a new talent — but it’s extremely rare in contemporary 21st century for a person of your age to win a literary prize.”
…It’s interesting how many people who would (rightly) throw all their toys out of the cot about the ills of racism or gender or class discrimination don’t appear to give a toss about ageism, which they may subtly or blatantly engage in. Age discrimination has become such an ingrained part of Western culture that it is entirely acceptable to the point that it often goes unnoticed.
In related news, The Guardian reported recently that “Things are definitely opening up” for older writers, and older female writers in particular.
Writes Amelia Hill,
Cherry Potts, the founder of the independent publisher Arachne Press, said: “There has been a sea change in publishers’ understanding and acceptance of older women’s experience and their voices, which are no longer dismissed as safe or cosy.
…“It started with small presses like us but our ripple is now working through to the industry as a whole,” said Potts, who has recently published debut works from women aged 70 to 85…
As an example of this industry change wherein “older, unpublished writers are now at a premium – with radical, edgy women aged into their 80s particularly sought-after,” Hill cites this award for debut writers over the age of 50.
(Submissions to this award for a debut novel and for UK residents only. If you fit this criteria, submissions close this Wednesday!)
It will be interesting to see if similar shifts might transpire here in the US, with small presses offering prizes for older writers and, of course, perhaps some lit mags doing so as well.
Another semi-related article caught my eye today, over on The Brevity blog. Here Sandra Miller wrote about “Lucky Author Syndrome.”
In our weekend conversations, we’ve also discussed how we define success as writers. I thought Miller adds some interesting perspective. Sometimes the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment we crave as writers demands a re-orientation toward recognizing and appreciating all the things we’ve actually accomplished.
She writes,
After twenty years, I had cracked the formula for “Lucky” Author syndrome: the trifecta of the right project, hard work, and belief. Once I was committed to uncomplainingly giving that manuscript my everything, and was flexible enough to relinquish the “Big Ten” book-dream, I not only felt lucky—I knew I couldn’t fail.
If you are looking for some conferences or workshops to attend in the near future, two popped up in my feed this morning. The Barrelhouse Conversations & Connections conference will be in Philly next fall. This is “a one-day writer's conference that brings together writers, editors, and publishers in a friendly, supportive environment…”
And SmokeLong Quarterly’s SmokeLong Summer is just about to begin. The program includes writing prompts, workshops, interaction with fellow flash fiction writers as well as panel talks from the editors of Barrelhouse, Split Lip Magazine, and more.
For those of you looking for work in the fast-paced and high-octane lit mag industry, here is what is out there:
One Story is looking for a paid apprentice.
Solstice Magazine seeks a Grant Writer.
Hey Alma seeks a Deputy Managing Editor.
For those of you heading into the summer on the hunt for homes for your latest & greatest:
Erika Dreifus has some opportunities listed here.
Master of Lists Brecht De Poortere has put together a list of lit mags who’ve seen their work in Best of the Net.
CLMP has a list of submission calls, several with deadlines approaching.
Dina Relles has compiled a list of places to submit flash nonfiction.
SubClub has 72 magazines closing at the end of May.
Authors Publish has 26 Journals Open to Publishing Reprints and 24 Magazines that Publish Writing by Children and Teens.
As for us, in case you missed it, we will be speaking with Pleiades Poetry Editor Jenny Molberg tomorrow (Tuesday) at 12:30 pm est.
Also, our June Lit Mag Reading Club selection is The Sun. They have generously offered a free 12-month digital subscription to all participants.
Learn more about it all here:
The Sun Discount!
Hello and TGIF, my dear darlings. I come with the wonderful news that a) June is almost here! and b) for next month’s Lit Mag Reading Club we will be reading The Sun! (I don’t typically plan lit mag names around the season but in this instance the stars have happily aligned.)
And that you devoted documentarians and obsessive observationists, you careful note-takers and all-seeing scribes, you for whom the memory is a place that you drive through with the windows rolled down, you who live to memorialize the honorable and the lost, you who jot down every fragmented bit lest it all be forsaken or faraway and forever forgotten, you with your x-ray vision slicing through the inexact, you with your questions perfectly poised to pierce the perfect pretty picture, you for whom wonder is the password to every locked door, you whose curiosity, far from killing cats, shines a blazing light on every dank darkened dungeon absolutely desperate for your doting and conscientious deliberations, you who cannot be defeated, or dispensed of, or drifted away with, because you and you, everywhere and always, know there is only one direction, and it is this one, right here, exactly where you are—dogged, dedicated, duty-bound, never done, no not ever, and for that reason glorious, is the news in literary magazines.
Have a most magnificent week, pals.
Fondly,
Becky
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One year ago at the age of 88 my debut poetry collection, “Driftwood “ was published. I have never entered it in a contest, mostly for fear that my age would be a factor for rejection regardless of the quality of the work.
Henry Wolstat, M.D.
My cynical projection about that "over 50" award?
It will end up going to low-50-somethings with a raft of credentials. Saw this happening with a grant aimed at emerging older writers...um, apparently the definition of "emerging" and "older" meant "40-somethings with a few prestigious publications and awards under their belt already. Over 50s need not apply."