Reading: Oregon Book Awards Finalists (Dec. 6)

Literary Arts is curating a literary series for The Heathman Hotel (1001 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon).

The first reading is Thursday, December 6 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Heathman Hotel library.

Oregon Book Awards finalists Lee Montgomery and Alison Clement will be reading their work in the newly-renovated library, the event is free and open to the public.

For more information contact Literary Arts at 503.227.2583.

Event: Naomi Shihab Nye Reception (Dec. 3)

WEGO is happy to invite you to a small gathering to meet and hear Naomi Shihab Nye - poet, teacher, activist, host of this year's Oregon Book Awards, and National Adviser to Friends of William Stafford.

Monday, December 3rd
3:30 - 6 p.m.
Portland State University
Smith Memorial Center
Browsing Lounge, Room 238

Hosted by the Writing-English Graduate Organization,
PSU English Department, and Friends of William Stafford.

Residency: Herbert Hoover National Park (Deadline Mar. 1)

Herber Hoover - Artists-in-Residence Program

Artists have long contributed our national parks. Painters such as Thomas Moran stimulated the establishment of national parks in the 19th century by documenting the unbelievable landscapes of the American West. Today’s writers, composers, and visual and performing artists are invited to interpret the history and beauty of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site through their work.

About the Program

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site offers two residencies each of two to four weeks from May 1 through October 31. Residencies are open to all professional American artists. The National Historic Site will provide lodging and a secure, environmentally-controlled place to lay out equipment and supplies at no cost to the artist. Supplies and personal transportation must be provided by the artist.

The artist must be willing to interact with park visitors while working on the site. Artists will make at least one presentation based on his or her medium, interests, and experiences. Each artist is asked to contribute a piece of work created during his or her tenure to the park’s collection.

The artist must be willing to interact with park visitors while working on the site. Artists will make at least one presentation based on his or her medium, interests, and experiences. Each artist is asked to contribute a piece of work created during his or her tenure to the park’s collection.

The Artist-in-Residence will be enrolled as a Volunteer-in-Parks, which provides worker’s compensation insurance. The artist should be in good health, self-sufficient, and ready to work closely with park staff and the local community.

How to Apply

Applications must be post-marked or delivered to the park between November 1, 2007 and March 1, 2008. There is no application form, but your application must include:

A resume (1-2 pages) and summary of creative work (exhibitions, collections and publications where your work has appeared). (4 copies)
Samples of recent works: visual artists provide six (6) 35 mm slides or 4x6 prints with a typed list of slides with titles, medium, and image size (height by width); writers submit no more than ten (10) double-spaced, typewritten pages of manuscript; and performing artists must provide a five (5) minute audio and or video tapes identifying or demonstrating your craft. (4 sets of each)
A statement of what you hope to achieve from a residency at Herbert Hoover NHS and how you envision your interpretive program(s) will be presented. (4 copies)
Your preferred period of residence from May to late October (two week minimum).
A panel from the park and the local arts community will select the Artists-in-Residence from the pool of applicants by April 1, 2008. All applicants will be notified as soon as possible. Selections will be made based on merit and how the artists’ work can advance the mission of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, and will be made without regard to race, religion, sex, disability, marital status, age, or national origin.

All samples will be returned at the end of the selection process. You do not have to include a self addressed stamped envelope. For more information or to submit an application, call Adam Prato at (319) 643-7855 or write to:

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Artist-in-Residence Program
P.O. Box 607
West Branch, Iowa 52358

Residencies: OSU Spring Creek Project (Deadline Dec. 31)

OSU's Spring Creek Project offers two residency programs. The Collaborative Retreat at Shotpouch Cabin is a two-week residency in the Oregon Coast Range. The Andrews Forest Writers' Residency is a one-week writers' retreat in the Cascade Range.

Collaborative Retreat at Shotpouch Cabin
The Collaborative Retreat at the Cabin at Shotpouch Creek is a two-week-long retreat for two participants who wish to pursue a collaborative project, or two participants who each have individual projects and who anticipate a synergistic benefit from each other's presence. At least one of the applicants must be a writer who takes inspiration from the natural world. The second applicant may also be a writer, or he or she may work in any other field (e.g. science, philosophy, music, art, crafts, etc.).

Next application deadline: December 31, 2007 for Spring 2008 residencies

Andrews Forest Writers' Residencies
Creative writers whose work in any genre reflects a keen awareness of the natural world and an appreciation for both scientific and literary ways of knowing are invited to apply for one-week residencies at the H.J.Andrews Experimental Forest.

The mission of the Long-Term Ecological Reflections program is to bring together writers, humanists and scientists to create a living, growing record of how we understand the forest and the relation of people to the forest, as that understanding and that forest both change over time.

For the Andrews Forest Residencies, writers are provided:
- a comfortable, three room apartment at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest
- access to a majestic ancient forest and world-renowned research site
- opportunities to interact with research scientists as they go about their work
- opportunities to have their writings included in The Forest Log
The residencies are intended to provide concentrated time for personal creative work that promises to further the exploration of the relationship of humans to the rest of the natural world.

While we want writers to have complete freedom to pursue their own work during the residency, we also ask that each resident writer:
- visits at some point during the residency, each of three designated “Reflections Plots,” places of significant natural and research interest, and write some observatios and reflections about those places.
- gives permission to publish some of the writing from the residency in the Forest Log, a web-based anthology of notes, observations, poems, vignettes, essays, or insights, both working documents and “finished” pieces, that will over time constitute a multi-dimensional portrait of the Andrews. (We encourage residents to publish in any journal or other outlet they see fit. We only ask to have the rights to reprint anything you publish elsewhere about the Andrews).
- writes a brief letter reflecting on the residency, offering suggestions on what we can do in the future to make these residencies as conducive as possible to the goal of encouraging Long-Term Ecological Reflections.
- participates in a literary reading and/or conversation in Corvallis at the close of the residency.

Accommodations
Writers provide their own transportation and take care of their meals while at the Andrews. The apartment's kitchen is well equipped with cookware and dishes. A computer lab in the headquarters building can be used to access the Internet. Residents should bring a laptop if they so desire. A telephone is available in the headquarters building. Residents should have a calling card or pre-paid phone card if they wish to place long-distance calls. Cell phones generally do not work at the Andrews.

Download the Collaborative Retreat at Shotpouch application.

WEGOnian Loretta Stinson reading at Someday Lounge (Nov. 28)

Congratulations to former publishing student Loretta Stinson, who is one of two finalists in the Doug Fir Fiction contest for Bear Deluxe magazine.

On Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m., she will read at the magazine's issue release party/fundraiser at The Someday Lounge (NW 5th and Couch). Cover is $3 but if you say you're a PSU student, you get in for free. Pick up a copy of the magazine (issue 26) and hope to see you there!

Event: Ooligan Press book launch party (Nov. 28)

Ooligan Press will hold the launch party for their newest collection, "You Have Time for This: Contemporary American Short-Short Stories."

Wednesday, November 28th
7pm-10pm, Free
Refreshments will be served
Photography Show by the book artist
Reading by winners of the flash fiction contest

23 Sandy Gallery
623 NE 23rd Ave
Portland, Oregon
503-927-4409

The event will include readings by the five winners of the Flash Fiction Contest: "Clamming Up" by Melinda McCamant, "Birth Control" by Rachel Pearson, "Beachfront Property" by Christopher J Miller, "Buckshot" by Sharon A. Murphy and "From the Mouth" by Joy Beckett. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded for each place.

Reading: The First Oregonians (Nov. 29)

The First Oregonians reading at Powell’s City of Books, November 29

Please join the Oregon Council for the Humanities and contributors of The
First Oregonians at Powell’s City of Books (1005 W. Burnside) on Thursday,
November 29, at 7:30 p.m.

Editor Laura Berg, and authors Wil Phinney (Confederated Tribes of Umatilla
Indian Reservation), Minerva Soucie (Burns Paiute Tribe), and George Wasson
(Coquille Indian Tribe) will be on hand to read from and discuss the book,
which provides a comprehensive view of Oregon’s native people, told
primarily from the perspective of tribal members. Using oral histories,
personal recollections, interviews, research, and photographs, The First
Oregonians, Second Edition, vividly depicts not only a story of decimation
and decline, but also a contemporary view of cultural revitalization,
renewal, and continuity.

Class: Manuscript to Masterpiece (Nov. 29)

Manuscript to Masterpiece: Getting the Most from the Editorial Experience
Thursday, November 29, 6:30 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $40

Hiring an editor can feel a bit like hiring your first-grade teacher and a personal assistant all in one. With each round, you cringe in anticipation of the overwhelming red marks, and yet you know she’s nurturing your manuscript to polished completion. The shocker for many is that editing takes time, sometimes hundreds of hours, which can add up to thousands of dollars. There are simple steps you can take to prepare your manuscript for success before it reaches your editor, and to save yourself a lot of money.

In Manuscript to Masterpiece, we’ll examine industry standards on how to format your manuscript, costly mistakes every author makes, what to ask your editor, and what to expect in response. Gather resources for defining and reaching your audience and for separating yourself from other authors with the same goals. Learn tools for self-editing overarching issues before your editor ever clocks in. And once the editing process begins, tap into your editor’s talent to bring your masterpiece to the light while your bank account stays in the black.

Instructor Ali McCart is the founder and senior editor of Indigo Editing, LLC, and works with authors and editors of all genres. She advocates valuing editors’ talent and time while still catering to authors’ budgets. She believes the editorial process can be enlightening and uplifting for both the author and the editor if they work with each other to make the process move smoothly. And she never edits in red.

All classes are held at Ink & Paper Group:
1825 SE 7th Ave.
Portland, Oregon 97214
Light refreshments will be provided.

All classes are limited to 14 participants, so register early!

Contest: Oregon Quarterly - Essay (Deadline Jan. 31)

2008 Northwest Perspectives Essay Contest

OPEN AND STUDENT CATEGORIES

Oregon Quarterly invites entries to the 2008 Northwest Perspectives Essay Contest in both student and open categories. Entries should address ideas that affect the Northwest. The Oregon Quarterly staff will select finalists and the contest judge will choose the top three winners in each category. Past judges have been Kim Stafford, Barry Lopez, John Daniel, Karen Karbo, Brian Doyle, Lauren Kessler, and Craig Lesley.

PRIZES:

Open Category
First place: $750
Second place: $300
Third place: $100

Student Category
First place: $500
Second place: $200
Third place: $75

In addition, first place essays will appear in Oregon Quarterly.

A selection of top essays will be featured in a springtime public reading on the UO campus.

Fifteen finalists (ten in the open category and five students) will be announced in the summer 2008 issue of Oregon Quarterly.

All finalists will be invited to participate in a writing workshop with the contest judge. The contest is open to all nonfiction writers, except: (1) first-place winners from previous years’ contests, (2) authors who have written a feature for Oregon Quarterly in the past calendar year, and (3) staff of Oregon Quarterly, University Advancement, or their family members. The student contest is open to any student currently enrolled and pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree at a college or university. Previously published essays will not be considered.
Manuscript Submission Guidelines

Submit two copies of your manuscript.
Paperclip a cover sheet to the two copies that includes only the essay’s title; a word count; and the entrant's name, address, and phone number must be provided. Indicate whether the essay is for the student or open category.
Entrant's name must not appear on any pages of the manuscript other than the cover sheet.

One entry per person.

Manuscripts should be printed double-spaced on 8½-by-11-inch white paper with minimum 1-inch margins.

Word length is 2,500 words maximum for the open category, 2,000 words for the student contest.

Faxed or e-mail entries are not accepted.

Postmark deadline is January 31, 2008.
Entries will not be returned. Those that do not meet these submission guidelines are automatically disqualified. There is no entry fee.

Send entries to:
Oregon Quarterly Essay Contest
5228 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-5228

Sponsored by Oregon Quarterly magazine and the University of Oregon Bookstore.

Job: English Instructor @ Mesa State (Deadline Dec. 1)

Mesa State College invites applications for a full-time temporary position in English. Teaching duties include upper & lower division creative writing as well as first-year composition. The teaching load is a minimum of four courses in both the Fall & Spring semesters.

Applicants are expected to have a MA/MFA/PhD (from nationally accredited institution) in creative writing & demonstrated commitment to college-level teaching required. Professional activity desirable. The position includes opportunities for scholarship, service, & academic advising. The position is a full-time temporary position, contract renewable yearly, beginning August 2008. Salary is commensurate with education & experience. Includes excellent health & retirement benefits. Review of completed applications will begin December 1, 2007. Position will remain open until filled.

Submit a completed Mesa State College Exempt & Professional Staff job
application (www.mesastate.edu/finadmin/hr/projobapp.doc), letter of interest, c.v., unofficial transcripts, & the names, phone numbers, & e-mail addresses of three current professional rreferences.

Send to: Creative Writing Search Committee
Department of Human Resources
Mesa State College
1100 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501-3122
Phone: 970-248-1820, Fax: 970-248-1061. E-mail: kamcclel@mesastate.edu

Register for Winter Writing Study Groups

If anyone's interested, you can now register for the one-credit
writing study groups online. Listings are below:


WR 510: Radio Scriptwriting
CRN: 45695
Coordinator: Nat Weinham (nat@weinham.com ).
Description: Whether it's radio drama, audio journalism, or just plain make-believe, crafting an audio performance requires a writer with control, a writer who can regulate more than just language, but also the structure upon which that language hangs. You'll learn the life-cycle from script to podcast, but only your writing matters here. Just as film, sonnets, and profiles train the writer through restrictions, the radio script, likewise, sharpens the writer's edge. Accept the challenge! Wield more than the hammer of prose. Write 5-10 pages of script per week. Lose your prose accent. Join radio scriptwriting today!

WR 510: Reading and Evaluation Fiction/Poetry for Portland Review
CRN:45693
Coordinator: Patrick Hass (bubbahaas@hotmail.com):
Description: Reads, critiques and discusses submissions for PSU's literary journal, the Portland Review.All readers are mentioned in the issue of the Review that they read for.

Residency: New College of Florida (Deadline Nov. 26)

New College of Florida Writer in Residence

New College of Florida. Writer in Residence, spring semester 2008 (February-May). The successful candidate will have two published books or the equivalent, & two years experience teaching creative writing which can include instruction as a graduate student. MFA, MA, or equivalent degree preferred, but experience considered.

New College encourages interdisciplinary, multicultural, & innovative approaches to teaching. Writers whose work engages
multiethnic &/or Diasporic issues especially encouraged to apply. The Writer in Residence will be responsible for teaching two semester-length writing courses (one multi-genre introductory course & one course in the applicant's specialty), & will give at least three public readings. Courses are evaluated through narrative evaluations rather than grades. We especially welcome candidates who, as Writer in Residence, will be interested in getting to know our campus community.

The College, located an hour south of Tampa, seeks to attract a culturally & intellectually diverse faculty of the highest caliber. Salary $20,000, with no benefits.

Send c.v., letter of application, writing sample, dossier with three letters of reference & official transcript, & two course proposals (one, introductory level & another more specialized) to:
Dr. Nova Myhill, Chair, Search Committee
Division of Humanities
New College of Florida
5800 Bay Shore Road
Sarasota, FL 34243-2109.

Review of applications will begin November 26 & continue until position is filled.

Merilee Karr (nonfiction) now a community writer for The Oregonian!

Nonfiction WEGOnian and medical doctor Merilee Karr was selected to be one of The Oregonian newspaper's first dozen community writers.

Along with eleven other writers, she'll be writing an op-ed piece every week for twelve weeks. A few of their pieces, at most one a week, will see print in the Sunday Oregonian, but all of them will be on the Oregonian Opinion Blog, where readers can comment.

Also, Silence Kills, the book about medical error and communication in which she wrote the first-prize-winning essay, is out. Amazon and most bookstores won't have it until the end of November, but the distributor is already shipping it.

Helyn Trickey (fiction) published on CNN!

Fiction student Helyn Trickey published "Home Office Tax Deductions Hinge on Details, Good Record Keeping" on cnn.com on Oct. 12. Helyn is currently the assistant director for student media at the University of Portland and was previously a writer/producer for CNN when she lived in Atlanta.