The editors of the Peace Corps at 50 Anniversary Story Project are looking for well-told stories that reflect the entire range of experiences in the Peace Corps — whether rosy, uplifting, scary, or ethically murky. -
Complete information on the project, the editors, and writers' guidelines is available at www.peacecorpsat50.org.
Bildner calls what he does, “venture philanthropy” that is a “partner-in-risk” with its clients, i.e., publishers and writers, and LVF acts like both an investor and consultant. As investor, the LVF puts capital into books of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction in the hope of earning money. The money can be used by the publisher to print more books or by the author to help defray the costs of spending more time writing.
As a consultant, LVF offers assistance with public relations and marketing to help authors, publishers, and booksellers get more books in front of as many readers as possible.
When Kris Holloway heard a presentation about LVF in 2006 she wrote a proposal to them and they accepted her book. They helped market it by reaching out to independent booksellers and setting up a regional tour for Kris. They also developed a media kit and reading group guide that could be downloaded from the foundation’s website. So far, Monique and the Mango Rains has sold over 15,000 copies which is tremendous for this type of book.
If you are interested, and have a book that you think can be helped by LVF, check out their site at www.literaryventuresfund.org. And you can also read about LVF in the Jan/Feb 2008 Poets & Writers.
be sent to: jdwyer@over50andoverseas.com
Submissions may include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, interviews, translations from Spanish, etc.. The main criterion for acceptance, aside from literary excellence, is how well the submission addresses the theme of the issue. Submissions for the issue wil be read between August 15, 2007 and November 15, 2007. Check www.newmadridjournal.org for submission guidelines.
This is new opportunity for RPCV writers (and thinkers) was set up by Richard Wiley (Korea 1967–69) and others at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas — check it out.
Founded in 2006, the Black Mountain Institute (BMI) is an international center dedicated to advancing literary and cross-cultural dialogue. Named after the long-defunct Black Mountain College in North Carolina and Las Vegas’ own Black Mountain, it is composed of the Forum on Contemporary Cultures (The Forum), the North American Network of Cities of Asylum (NANCA), and the International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML). A center of excellence in modern letters, BMI provides an environment where thinkers and writers from all segments of global society can fight against entrenched perspectives, whatever their political or cultural source.
Beginning with the academic year 2007–2008, The Forum at the BMI will offer from two to five nine-month fellowships to published writers and public intellectuals. Fellowships will be awarded to candidates whose work ranges from the American experience and to international terrain, and who have an ongoing project that would benefit from a period of sustained immersion. The program accepts applications from novelists, poets, playwrights, historians, political scientists, independent scholars, and anyone else whose work is meant for a general, intelligent lay audience.
Fellows will receive a $50,000 stipend, an office, a computer, and full access to the UNLV Lied Library. The residency will be from August 27, 2007 – May 16, 2008. The application deadline: February 28, 2007. Go to www.blackmountaininstitute.org for full details.
From Gary Garrison (Tunisia 1966-69):
I’m writing to let you know of opportunities in countries in the Middle East, North Africa or South Asia for international teaching and research available with the Fulbright Scholar Program during the 2008-09 academic year. Open to college and university faculty and independent professionals, the program seeks qualified candidates to contribute to educational development in countries worldwide. We value the experience and expertise of former Peace Corps Volunteers who wish to participate in another great international program, the Fulbright Program. Writers and journalists have held teaching or research awards in past years in many of the countries of this region. I hope you’ll consider joining them as Fulbright Scholars.
The full announcement of available awards in 2008-09 and the application will be posted at www.cies.org/us_scholars/ on March 1.
Stories should center around working and living in a developing country, with a focus on first person reminiscences or reporting of a host country community or project. Stories should be approximately 1000–2000 words. To submit or for questions, please email Bonnie Robinson (Ukraine 2002–05), WorldView magazine James Collins Fellow, at bonnie@rpcv.org
Her company is called Flying Point Press.
Write to Peggy at info@flyingpointpress.com
For more details go to iMindprints.com.
From those who had a significant collegiate international experience (6+ weeks) that influenced their career choice, they would also welcome article contributions. Some suggested areas are:
| Environment/ Fieldwork | Social Justice/Non-Governmental Organization |
| International Business/Marketing/ PR/Law/Journalism | International Affairs |
| Fine and Performing Arts/Architecture | Work involving a Foreign Language |
| International Health | Sciences/Engineering/ Technical |
| Social Sciences/ Anthropology/ Archaeology | Teaching/International Education |
Contributors are asked to write in the first-person and give insights and reflections on the role their collegiate international experience(s) played on their career choice. Anecdotes and details of specific moments, projects, encounters, or realizations are sought.
Submissions are due by June 30, 2006. E-mail queries and articles to Andrea Licavoli at editors@abroadviewmagazine.com. To learn more about Abroad View, visit their site: AbroadViewMagazine.com
An anthology of first-person travel stories written by Peace Corps Volunteers and compiled by two RPCVs — Steve McNutt (Gabon 2000–02) and Jacob Fawson (Gabon 2000–02) — both graduate students in Communication Studies and Nonfiction Writing. They are seeking, “funny, harrowing tales of self-deprecation and disaster. Sharply written and witty preferred over ‘how I saved the world.’ Meditative is good — but make us laugh first. Vicarious fun. Think: bathrooms, food, medical, transportation, sex. Above all, think funny. Profits to charity.” Read about the guidelines at: peacecorpsbathroomreader.blogspot.com. The deadline is June 1, 2006. You can E-mail them at: stevemcnutt at earthlink.net or jfawson at gmail.com
www.imindprints.com. They are very writer-friendly, so feel free to email them if you have any questions. pafahey@hancockcollege.edu
Publishers Lunch is the industry’s “daily essential read,” now shared on-line every day with well over 20,000 publishing people. Each report gathers together stories from all over the professional trade book community, along with original reporting, plus a little perspective and the occasional wisecrack added.
This site has more than you’ll ever want (or need) to know, but it is fun to track what is happening in the book world, and it is free! What more could an RPCV writer want?
publishersmarketplace.com/lunch/subscribe.html.
Writers interested in having work considered for publication should go to Submissions Guidelines. This is a terrific site and a great place to be published on line.
I have a program on a small community radio station on which I interview writers (published and unpublished). The show is called “Turning Pages” and is from 10–11 AM Wednesdays. The station is KWMR Point Reyes Station , Marin County. If there are people in this area or travelling thru who would like to appear please have them e-mail: DonLChris@aol.com
James Roth, archivist
The Peace Corps Collection
John F. Kennedy Library
Columbia Point
Boston MA 02125
james.roth@nara.gov
Do not send materials to them until you have discussed proceedures with them first.