Tired of your characters getting trampled by moose? Dramatic tension got you down? Are you being swallowed by setting? Looking for a different sort of literary challenge? Perhaps you’re the next Executive Director of the 49 Writers…or if not you, perhaps you know someone who could be. 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 November 22.
Today, October 28, is a big day for young writers. Our WYAK Kids These Days contest ends today, and our free WYAK Jumpstart Your Writing workshop starts today at 1 pm at Teen Underground. Procrastinated? Email us, quick, at 49writers@gmail.com, or show up at the library to see if there’s room.
Wow! Thanks for a fabulous response to our membership drive. If you haven’t yet joined or renewed, it’s not too late: the drive runs through Monday, 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, visit www.49writingcenter.org/get involved/join to support our work on behalf of Alaska’s writers and books. Full-time students take note: we now offer student memberships for only $20 per year.
Hard to believe, but our 49 Writers Fall 2011 Literary Season is all but over. We’ll wrap it with a 49 Writers Open Mic on Thursday, November 10 from 7 to 9 pm at the 49 Writers’ Cafe at Out North Contemporary Art House at 3800 De Barr Road in Anchorage. Whether you’re a student or not, if you are interested in reading, email 49WritersOpenMic@gmail.com. Include your name and the genre you plan to read (poetry, fiction, or nonfiction) plus a two to three sentence bio, including your achievements as a writer. During the Open Mic event, we’ll also take a few moments to recognize our fabulous 49 Writers volunteers. Mark your calendars, too, for the 49 Writers Café open studio from 1 to 4 pm on Sunday, November 13. Free Raven’s Brew coffee if you bring your 49 Writers membership card!
And yes, we’re already looking toward our Spring 2012 Literary Season. If you’d like to propose a course, check out our instructor guidelines at www.49writingcenter.org /get involved /teach and fill out our easy online course proposal form by November 1.
Speaking of outstanding volunteers, Jeff Oliver and Lucian Childs have teamed up to present – tah dah – podcasts for your listening enjoyment, including Jeff’s recording of the “Fictional Truth” Crosscurrents event featuring Melinda Moustakis and Frank Soos. Visit our home page at www.49writingcenter.org for the links. While you’re there, admire the nice work Lucian has done on our website, with thanks also to webmaster Rich Gannon.
For a comprehensive calendar of literary events throughout Alaska, visit http://www.alaskalitevents.com/.
Today, Friday October 28, there are several opportunities to hear author David Vann. At 11.30 am, he will discuss Writing and Death at the UAA Campus Bookstore, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage. At 2.30pm, he will give a two-and-a-half-hour fiction-writing class at the 49 Writing Center, 645 W. 3rd Ave, Anchorage. And, courtesy of Alaska Quarterly Review, he will give a reading and craft talk based on his new non-fiction book, Last Day on Earth, at UAA Rasmuson Hall, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage.
The Ten Poets Group’s new collection of poetry, Braided Streams, has just been published by Cirque. On Tuesday, November 1, 5pm, the poets will be reading from the collection at the UAA Campus Bookstore–all are welcome.
On Wednesday, November 2, 5-7pm, the UAA Campus Bookstore presents a panel on “Alaska Native Writers: Looking Back, Looking Forward,” with Dr. Maria Shaa Tlaa Williams, Dr Jeane Breinig, Jack Dalton, and others, in recognition of the tenth anniversary of Alaska Native Heritage Month celebrations. The panel will consider Alaska Native Writers past, present and future–how they have inspired, how to encourage those who need to be heard.
Next Friday, November 4, 12-2pm, Evan Cotton presents the 22nd Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall–revisiting history in our time at the UAA Campus Bookstore. All are welcome.
F Magazine is specially soliciting poetry submissions for their poetry section. Please attach them as MS Word docs., and send to Bruce Farnsworth.
F Magazine’s Statewide youth (grades 7-12) art and writing competition is underway. For more information, see their special website.
F Magazine is now accepting photography submissions for the February Art of Fashion Issue. The deadline is December 1, 2011. More information on their website. They’re also preparing to launch a new Audio F’ile sound card of Alaskan acoustic music. Submit mp3’s to editor@fhideout.org–or mail a disc directly to F Magazine, 3800 DeBarr Rd, Anchorage, AK 99508. Deadline is January 1.
F Magazine’s Second Annual Statewide Writing Competition will start taking submissions December 1, 2011.
Congratulations to Alaska Dispatch co-founders Amanda Coyne and Tony Hopfinger on the publication of their book, Crude Awakening: Money, Mavericks and Mayhem in Alaska. Any satellite 49 Writers readers in the DC area: there will be a dinner and discussion featuring the authors with Alice Rogoff and David Rubinstein on Friday November 4, 6.30-8.30pm at The Cosmos Club, 2121Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008. RSVP by October 31 to tracey@arcticimperative.com For more information, http://www.nationbooks.org