It’s still December, we know, but the countdown to the New Year is on, and it’s an exciting time here at 49 Writers. We’ll be soon unveiling a fantastic line-up of writing courses and events for 2012, along with the scoop on a fabulous new Executive Director, so stay tuned!
In the meantime, we’ll just mention that in 2012 we plan to repeat our popular Resolve to Write events on or about January 20. Last year volunteers hosted events in Juneau, Homer, and Anchorage; in 2012 we’d like to expand into even more Alaska communities. The commitment is small – pick a location (a home or café is fine) plus a date and time on or around January 20 – and tell us so we can help spread the word. The idea is for writers to gather and share their writing resolve for the New Year. If you’d like to help with a 49 Writers Resolve to Write event in your community, email us at 49writers@gmail.com by December 20.
Speaking of gatherings, don’t forget the 49 Writers Café at Out North (3800 DeBarr Rd) this Sunday, December 11, from 1-4 pm. No holiday shopping excuses! This is your time to focus on craft. If you bring your 49 Writers membership card, the Raven’s Brew coffee’s on us. Thanks much to 49 Writers volunteer Anna Breuninger for hosting.
Big need, small commitment: Teeka Ballas at F Magazine has asked us to help her find ten judges for the Statewide Young Writers Competition. Only two or three hours, one evening, will be needed for judging. Two judges are needed in each of these categories:
- Flash Fiction
- Short Fiction
- Personal Essay
- Poetry
- Humor
If you’re not in Anchorage, you can still help, though you’ll miss out on some of the fun of meeting with other writers to go through the entries. No judge may have any relationship with any of the young writers, of course, even though the work is submitted anonymously. If you can help, email Teeka by December 14 at publisher@fhideout.org.
Additionally, F Magazine’s statewide (all ages) writing competition has just opened. The deadline is May 1, and guidelines can be found on their website.
Young writers: Our WYAK young writers group (ages 15-18) meets this Monday, December 12, from 6:30-8 pm at Teen Underground, third floor Loussac Library. Bring work to share, or just come hang out with other writers. For ages 12-14, your writers group meets Monday, December 19 – same time, same place. And don’t forget “Comics: Turning drawings into stories” debuting at Teen Underground December 27-29 from 3-5 pm, also for ages 12-14. No special drawing or writing talent is required. Teens need to register soon, as the workshop is more than half full. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Visit www.wyakwriters.com for details.
For a comprehensive calendar of literary events throughout Alaska, visit http://www.alaskalitevents.com/.
On Saturday December 10, 5pm, Hank Lentfer will give a reading, presentation and book signing at Bunnell St Gallery, Homer. His book Faith of Cranes is a memoir of his home and community near Glacier Bay. Visit his website for images of his home and the Gustavus landscape, as well as recordings of sandhill cranes.
The Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators will be meeting on Wednesday, December 14. 6-6.30 will be SCBWI news and information on contests. 6.30-8.30 will be sharing critiques. Bring along five copies of 3-7 pages of work for feedback, or just come and offer feedback to others. Starbucks on the NE corner of Dimond and Old Seward, 1005 E. Dimond, Anchorage. If you have trouble finding it, call Stephanie Tatalias on 206 769 2728.
Also on Wednesday December 14, at 7pm, Poetry Parley will feature the work of Kay Ryan and Gretchen Diemer, Mike Burwell, John Mckay and Deb Liggett of the Ten Poets of Anchorage.
Out North, 3800 DeBarr Rd, Anchorage.
Call for entries: postmark deadline January 6, 2012. The Northwest Film Center asks Northwest filmmakers to MAKE IT SHORT: a challenge to create excellent work of 40 seconds’ duration or less.
Screening will be held on January 17, 2012 in a free program for public and jury. In addition to audience choice award, there will be cash prizes, production service, and the grand prize winner will see their work screened at the Portland International Film Festival in February.
Permanent Residents of Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington may submit works of any genre, 40 seconds or less.
Open to Youth, ages 19 and younger, and General, for ages 19 and older. No entry fee. For more information, visit their website.
Fairbanks Arts Association’s Literary Arts Committee is now accepting entries for the 18th Annual Poetry Contest. Juror: Frank Soos. The purpose of the contest is to encourage, publicize and reward the writing of high quality poetry. Winners of the contest will be announced on March 10, 2012, 5pm, at Fairbanks Arts Associations’s Bear Gallery in the Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way. There are Adult, High School and Elementary/Middle School divisions, with cash prizes.
Deadline for entries is Monday, February 6, 2012, 6pm–hand delivered to Fairbanks Arts Association, 2300 Airport Way, or postmarked.
Entry Fee: Grade, Middle and High School: $3 per poem or $10 for four poems.
Adults: $4 per poem or $13 for four poems.
Open to AK residents only; no more than four poems per author.
All poems must be original and not previously published.
Each must be typed/formatted to an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper and may not exceed 100 lines in length.
A separate cover page should include name, address, phone and division, as well as the title of all the poems submitted. AUTHOR’s NAME SHOULD NOT APPEAR ON ANY OF THE POEMS.
NEW: digital submissions may be emailed to digitalfaa@gmail.com. Fees for these will be accepted via the phone, mail or in person.
List of winners will be sent if SASE is included.