NCF Tuesday: Promoting Literacy; Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Award; Natalie Portman Raps

News

Innovations in Reading Prize, 2011, Goes To…

My Own Book: Burt Freeman worked to create opportunity to increase literacy among New York City students. “The concept behind My Own Book is amazing in its simplicity: Third-grade children from inner-city schools go on a class trip to a bookstore where My Own Book volunteers help the children purchase $50 worth of books to help start and build their own personal libraries.” 

Kore Press: Currently, these literary activists are creating social change through three different projects that stray away from book form. They will use “t-shirts, video PSAs, readings, podcasts, poems wrapped around tampons and loaded into a repurposed tampon machine that travels to public restrooms, a 40-foot banner, a blog, a newspaper ad, posters in elevators, coffee cup sleeves and repurposed political yard signs.”

Electric Literature: The quarterly journal reaches their audience through Twitter, YouTube videos, iPhone and iPad apps. They even created their own “app-building software because they couldn't find an existing one that met their needs or their budget.”

YARN: “is the first independent online literary journal dedicated to young adult (YA) literature; they publish short fiction, poetry, essays, and interviews, as well as an editors' blog and lesson plans for teachers.” In an attempt to widen the audience, YARN publishes teen writers and emerging and established adult authors.

How do you “step out of the box” to reach your audience?

   
Download Stations in the Library

In Edinburgh, Scotland, the Capital’s libraries plan to make e-books available for download. Liz McGettigan, library and information manager, doesn’t believe the physical book will ever completely disappear, but she wants to make way for new technology.

Would you use an e-lending service at your local library?


Fighting Sexism Among Major Literary Awards

A group of female Australian writers and publishers are working together to create a literary award, equivalent to the Orange Prize, to ensure women are seen, read and heard. Apparently, the majority of literary awards find their way into the hands of their male counterparts. The women hope to bring attention and validation to female writers.

Why does sexism in the arts still exist?



Contests

FICTION
New American Fiction Prize
-       Fiction: Approx. 100-500 pages of your best fiction
-       First Place Prize: $1,000, publication contract, 25 complimentary copies and 15% royalties
-       Deadline: May 15, 2011
-       Details here 

Glimmer Train Literary Journal
-       Short Story Award for New Writers
-       First Place Prize: $1,200, publication in Glimmer Train Stories, and 20 copies of that issue
-       Deadline: May 31, 2011
-       Details here 

Narrative Magazine
-       Spring 2011 Story Contest: Fiction and Nonfiction of 15,000 words or less
-       First Place Prize: $3,250, considered for publication
-       Deadline: July 31, 2011
-       Details here 

Writer’s Digest Magazine
-       19th Annual Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Awards
o   Personal Essay (600 words or less)
o   Grand Prize: $3,000 and a trip to Writer’s Digest Conference in New York City
o   Deadline: May 16, 2011
o   Details here 

-       5-Minute Memoir, “Tales From the Writing Life”
o   Personal Essay (600 words or less)
o   Prize: Publication in Writer’s Digest magazine
o   Deadline: Rolling submissions
o   Details here 

POETRY
Slapering Hol Press Chapbook Contest
-       Chapbook of Poetry: 16-20 pages of a manuscript
-       First Place Prize: $1,000, publication by Slapering Hol Press
-       Deadline: May 15, 2011
-       Details here 


Fun
Cute Natalie Portman steps out of her stereotypical romantic role to rap* on Saturday Night Live. Enjoy!






*Disclaimer: Explicit language.


Comments

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said…
The idea behind YARN is interesting and I wish them success. I myself step out of the box by posting stories on gay websites that host stories like the Nifty Archive. It's fun to get fanmail. I'm thinking of posting an entire novel up there at the rate of a chapter per week and asking readers that like it to just follow my blog. Could be a way to gather a few more followers plus get a better handle on who exactly might be interested in reading my work. Audience is so hard lol.
May 10, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Author Joshua Hoyt said…
These are some cool ideas. I really like the one about the building their own library. Awesome contests coming up as well.
May 11, 2011 at 10:44 AM
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