Call for Applications: Writers Exchange with China

Deadline February 20, 2009



In 2009, the International Writing Program (IWP), in cooperation with the Chinese Writers' Association, is commencing a pilot exchange project, the Life of Discovery (LOD), between writers and artists from the United States and from the minority ethnic communities in the western regions of the People's Republic of China. Five American and five Chinese writers and artists, all aged 25-40, will be invited to join two senior artists, one from each country, in a series of collaborative, bilingual projects, conducted first in Western China (over the course of sixteen days in mid-May, 2009) and continued and elaborated upon in the US (five to seven days at the end of September, 2009).

Knowledge of Chinese is not required for American participants, nor English for Chinese participants.

The Life of Discovery is sponsored through grant funds provided by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US State Department. These will cover all relevant expenses for the US participants: round-trip international travel to China and travel within China, domestic travel in the US, lodging, per diem for meals, work materials, visa costs, health insurance, translation and interpreting.

For more details about the program, please visit our site.

The IWP invites applications from

--Early-career writers of fiction, poetry, drama, screenplays, literary translation, and/or non-fiction, who have at least one published (or contracted) volume.

--Artists from other disciplines, including time-based media, music, dance, or the visual arts.

Applications will be judged on a number of criteria, including creative merit, interest in cross-cultural activity, and the ability to contribute to a diverse and long-term exchange with Chinese counterparts of minority status.

Applications may be hardcopy or electronic and should include:

A1. Writing sample (no more than 15 pages; may be a photocopy or scan of published work); or

A2. Portfolio of artwork. Digital portfolios should be readable on a PC.

Limit time-based or web-based work to a total of 10 minutes. Provide concise instructions for viewing/listening to time-based or web-based work. These instructions are especially important for reviewing web-based material that the reviewers might otherwise browse randomly. No more than 10 minutes of material will be reviewed. Include a typed, numbered list that identifies each image or time-based piece by title, date, medium, size, and other appropriate information.

Provide a self-addressed mailer and sufficient postage for return of all materials.

B. Resumé

C. Project proposal (300-600 words)

D. Statement confirming ability to travel in remote and rural areas.

The resumé should include any experience relevant to LOD (such as international travel or grants, volunteer work, other exchanges, etc.), in addition to artistic credentials and professional accomplishments.

The project proposal should describe, in concrete terms, a proposed collaboration between some or all of the participants in the 2009 LOD project. It should take into consideration all of the following:

--Twelve writers and artists of different genres and disciplines will be present.

--There will be a heavy reliance on interpreting and translation.

--The periods spent face-to-face (10-12 days in China, 5-7 days in the US) will occur four months apart. That interval may also be included in your proposal.

If you have participated in a similar collaborative effort in the past, we recommend including this in your proposal for illustrative purposes. While the IWP has experience in creative collaboration, we welcome new ideas.

Please send applications, by post or email, to

Tammy Petro
International Writing Program
Shambaugh House
430 N. Clinton
Iowa City, IA 52245

319-335-3817
Tammy-Petro(at)uiowa.edu (replace (at) with @)

Publishing News Link

I recently received this link in an e-newsletter (CoolNewsletter4Writers) and thought I would share it here. This site is a wonderful index of publishing news, blogs, press releases, author announcements, etc. Something not to be missed.

Enjoy!

To subscribe (free) to the CoolNewsletter4Writers, go here.

Writer's Residency: Writers in The Heartland

Writers in The Heartland

Writers in The Heartland is now taking applications for its inaugural season. Writers in the Heartland is a writing colony for creative writers in all genres. The colony is located in Gilman, Illinois, approximately 2 hours south of Chicago. It is located on a beautiful 30-acre wooded site with lakes and walking paths. A limited number of one-week residencies are available for September 18-25 and October 3-10. Lodging and food are included.

Applications must be received by April 15, 2009, to be considered. Decisions will be announced by July 1st. For further information about applying to Writers in the Heartland, see our Website.



or contact us at writersintheheartland(at)gmail.com (replace (at) with @)

Query Contest

The Swivet, the blog for agent Colleen Lindsay at FinePrint Literary Management, is hosting a query contest. Write a query in 140 characters or less and post it in the response on the blog.

Grand prize is a query and a first chapter critique.

But hurry! Deadline is midnight EST, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009!

To read more about it and to post your query, go here.

Fellowships for Writers and Artists: Vermont Studio Center

Vermont Studio Center

The Vermont Studio Center is an international residency program open to all artists and writers. Year-round, VSC hosts 50 artists and writers per month, each of whom receives an individual studio, private room, and all meals. Residencies last from 2-12 weeks and provide uninterrupted time to work, a community of creative peers, and a beautiful village setting in northern Vermont.

In addition, VSC's program includes a roster of Visiting Artists and Writers (2 painters, 2 sculptors and 2 writers per month) who offer slide talks/readings and individual studio visits/conferences. Applications and information available here.

Julia Peterkin Award

Submission Guidelines for the Julia Peterkin Award

Eligibility

The 2009 Julia Peterkin Award is open to all writers of fiction writing original works in English. Previously published works are eligible for inclusion in the submission.

Manuscript Format Guidelines

Entries must be typed on quality paper, 8 1/2 by 11. Photocopies or copies from letter-quality printers are acceptable. Each entry must include one short story or chapter from a novel--a maximum of 15-18 pages. In addition, include a cover page with the writer’s name, address, daytime phone number, and title of submission. Also include a one-page biography. Author’s name should not appear on the manuscript.

Entry Fee

An entry fee of $15 made payable to: Converse College English Department.

Deadline:
Feb. 15, 2009.

Requirements

Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like direct notification of contest results. Results will be mailed in May of 2009. No manuscripts can be returned.

Send one copy of the manuscript prepared according to format guidelines.

The winner will receive $1000 and travel expenses for a reading at Converse College. Winner must be willing to read in the Fall 2009 Visiting Writers Series.

Send entries to:

The Julia Peterkin Award
Converse College
Department of English
580 E. Main Street
Spartanburg, SC 29302

For more information, contact Prof. Rick Mulkey at (864) 596-9000 or email at
rick.mulkey(at)converse.edu> (replace (at) with @)