Nine to five got you down?
Have friends grown tired of your constant frown?
Tired of your boss or working all-nighters?
Why not lead the 49 Writers?!
We are searching for a new leader,
a writer, a marketer, and a savvy reader.
Someone with character, smarts, and vision,
someone to help us fulfill our cool mission.
If the Executive Director title appeals to you,
click the link, and then you know what to do!
That’s right – our Board of Directors has launched a search for an Executive Director for this fine, fun-filled organization. Don’t worry: co-founders Andromeda Romano-Lax and Deb Vanasse will still be around, and they’ll still be involved (but not meddling!).
For a full job description and information on how to apply, go to http://www.49writingcenter.org and look for the downloadable .pdf document toward the bottom of the home page. The first application period ends Nov. 22.
The identity of our in-house poet? Well, let’s just say he still has time to register for Susanna Mishler’s Poetry Toolbox course that begins tomorrow (Saturday, October 22). Our last two fall term courses also launch next week: Perspectives and Viewpoints with Andromeda Romano-Lax (begins October 25) and Fiction with David Vann (October 28). Register today!
Young writers, how are you spending your next school holiday (Oct. 28)? Sign up now for the free WYAK Jumpstart Your Writing workshop for at Teen Underground on October 28 and 29. It’s a great way to get primed for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November.
Want to add “radio broadcast” to your list of accomplishments? We’ve teamed with KSKA’s Kids These Days to offer a new contest for young writers. Aspiring writers ages 10-20 from anywhere in Alaska are invited to write about what it means to be a kid these days. Two winners (one from each age group) will get to read their work aloud on the air. But hurry! The deadline is today: October 21. Details are at www.wyakcontests.com.
Only 10 days remain in our membership drive; it ends October 31. Anyone who joins or renews a membership this month receives a coupon for free bread from the Great Harvest Bread Company. If you haven’t already, please join in supporting our work on behalf of Alaska’s writers and books. Fulltime students take note: we now offer student memberships for only $20 per year.
It’s already time to start thinking about our 49 Writers spring course schedule. Course proposals are due November 1, with classes to begin in February. If you’ve got a course to propose, we’d love to hear from you. Of special interest would be a nonfiction apprenticeship, and any proposals for a “Publish and Promote” series.
The first 49 Writers Open Mic will be on Thursday, November 10 from 7 PM to 9 PM at the 49 Writers’ Cafe at Out North Contemporary Art House at 3800 De Barr Road in Anchorage. Twelve writers will each read a three to five minute selection from their work. The open mic event is open to anyone who would like to read, not just former 49 Writers students. If you are interested in reading, please send a note to 49WritersOpenMic@gmail.com. Include your name and the genre you plan to read (poetry, fiction, or nonfiction). Also please send a two to three sentence bio, including your achievements as a writer. Have you been published? Have you received an award or a degree? Had any major life changes, adventures, decisions, or achievements that have contributed to your writing? If more than twelve readers respond, we’ll start a list for the next open mic. During the Open Mic event, we’ll also take a few moments to recognize our fabulous 49 Writers volunteers.
Come to the UAA Campus Bookstore this afternoon, Friday October 21, 3-4.30pm, for tea and conversation with Melanie Mitchell, “A Woman with Complexity.” Her book, Complexity: A Guided Tour, won the 2010 Phi Beta Kappa Science Book Award and was named by Amazon.com as one of the ten best science books of 2009. No science background required: just bring your imagination.
Tonight, Friday October 21, 6-9pm, Katie Mangelsdorf will introduce her new book, Champion of Alaskan Huskies: Joe Redington, Sr., Father of the Iditarod. Barnes and Noble, 200 E. Northern Lights, Anchorage.
Tonight, Friday October 21, 7pm, the Fairbanks Arts Association is holding a special Literary Reading. The English Graduate Organization (EGO) will feature three Readers–Josh Fish, Aaron Bauer and Nick Moser. Bear Gallery, Pioneer Park Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks. Admission is free.
On Saturday, October 22, 7pm, the UAF English Department presents the 21st Annual Dead Writers Reading as part of the 2011-2012 Midnight Sun Visiting Writer Series. The Blue Loon, 2999 Parks Highway, Fairbanks.
On Tuesday, October 25, 7pm, the Anchor Park Reading Group will discuss The Big Short: Inside the Money Machine by Michael Lewis. Barnes and Noble, 200 E. Northern Lights, Anchorage.
Next Friday, October 28, 11.30am-1.30pm, author David Vann will discuss Writing and Death at the UAA Campus Bookstore. The event is sponsored with the Alaska Library Association, 49 Writers, and the UAA Campus Bookstore. David Vann will also give a talk at 7.30pm, Rasmuson Hall, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage; sponsored by AQR.
Sensations Magazine, a rare three-consecutive-year winner in the national American Literary Magazine Awards (1994-1996) is celebrating its 25th consecutive year of publishing by trying to complete the process of publishing poetry by at least one poet residing in every state. Its”Missing States” contest invites writers from the nine remaining states in their list (Alaska is one of these) to submit 3 one-page poems (50 lines or less) on any theme for a $10 entry fee. Those selected for publication will receive a copy of the poetry portion of Issue 49 containing the published work; those not accepted will receive the Spring 2011 “American Presidents” poetry supplement as a consolation prize. Poets interested in entering should send one copy of each poem, along with a brief bio, make a $10 check payable to “The Six Centuries Club,” and mail their entries to P.O. Box 132, Lafayette, NJ 07848. Include a SASE for reply; poems will not be returned. No email submissions. Postmark deadline is Tuesday, November 1.
Virginia Kristiansen writes to tell us that her neighbor, Garner Buchanan, has published a book, And the Raven Smiled. It is a historical novel, a look into Sitka culture on the verge of changing, and dropping old prejudices
For a comprehensive calendar of literary events throughout Alaska, visit http://www.alaskalitevents.com/.