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SEPTEMBER 2009
Newsletter
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News and Reviews
Issue #37: The Best Creative Nonfiction, Volume 3 is en route! That's right: any day now, subscribers will be enjoying the latest issue of CNF, and just in time for the waning days of summer (coincidentally, the book is best enjoyed in a hammock with a glass of iced tea in hand).
This, the third annual collaboration between CNF and W.W. Norton, features a wide assortment of all that is creative nonfiction--immersion journalism, personal essays, narrative blogs, and more--and with stories ranging from prison food in Alabama to death-bed benedictions, this collection perfectly illustrates the genre's power and potential.
But don't take our word for it. Listen to the critics:
* takepart.com says the collection "helps reintroduce the time-honored writing form [of the essay] in an entertaining way"
* Publisher's Weekly praised the book for its "panache and gusto"
* The New Yorker's book blog loved the collection's featured blogs
* Library Journal said the writing "is powerful--the essays and blogs entertain, inform, and inspire. Followers of contemporary issues presented in compelling prose will devour"
Want a copy for yourself or a loved one? It's easy:
1) The book is available for sale on our website (this is also the best place to check out the complete table of contents and author statements about the stories behind the stories)
2) Become a subscriber and we'll send this issue directly to you to start your subscription
3) Pick up the Best Creative Nonfiction Box Set--all three volumes for only $40!
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Submission Calls
BLOGS
We are no longer accepting blog nominations at this time, but want to thank everyone who nominated. In all, we received over 800 nominations! Needless to say, it's going to take us a while to sort through them all. But stay tuned; we'll be announcing the winners right here in the coming months. Also, we'll let you know when the nomination page re-opens. In the meantime, check out these other great ways to get your work into Creative Nonfiction (or click here for the complete submission guidelines):
ANIMALS For an upcoming issue, Creative Nonfiction is seeking new essays about the bonds--emotional, ethical, biological, physical, or otherwise--between humans and animals. We're looking for stories that illustrate ways animals (wild and/or domestic) affect, enrich, or otherwise have an impact on our daily lives.
There is a $20 reading fee--$25
covers the reading fee AND gets you a 4-issue subscription to CNF. Creative Nonfiction editors will award $1500 in prizes.
Submissions must be postmarked by November 13, 2009, and "Animals" must be clearly marked on the envelope and cover letter.
END OF LIFE
Creative Nonfiction is again working with the good folks at SMU
Press, this time on a collection tentatively titled "End of Life
Stories."
For this collection, we are seeking essays that explore death, dying, and end of life care. We're looking for stories from physicians, nurses, hospice workers, counselors, clergy, family members, and others.
Narratives should highlight current features, flaws, and advances in
the health care system. Essays must be vivid and dramatic; they should
combine a strong and compelling narrative with a significant element of
research or information.
There is a $20 reading fee--$25
covers the reading fee AND gets you a 4-issue subscription to CNF.
Creative Nonfiction editors will award $2500 in prizes.
Submissions must be postmarked by December 31, 2009, and "End of Life Stories" must be clearly marked on the envelope and cover letter.
GENERAL
Finally, we are always on the lookout for true stories, well-told, about any subject. We're looking for strong reportage; well-written prose, rich with detail and a distinctive voice; an informational quality or instructive element that offers the reader something to learn (an idea, concept or collection of facts, strengthened with insight, reflection and interpretation); and a compelling, focused, sustained narrative that is well-structured, makes sense and conveys meaning. Submissions are accepted year round and there is no reading fee.
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Please send all manuscripts, accompanied by a cover letter with complete contact information, SASE, and payment (when necessary) to:
Creative Nonfiction
5501 Walnut Street, Suite 202
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
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Book Bargain of the Month
 With the G-20 summit about to land in CNF's backyard, we know our beloved city will be under the scrutiny of the world's microscope. To set the story straight (hey, there's more to the 'Burgh than just steel and the Steelers), we're offering Pittsburgh in Words this month for two-thirds of its cover price.
For this collection, compiled in celebration of Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary, we invited
seven writers to tell new stories about the city and its people. The
resulting collection--CNF's first devoted entirely to its hometown as a
subject-contains memories of teenage trips and family businesses,
tales of immersion into unfamiliar communities and accounts of early
mornings on the river, as well as thoughts about what it all means. One
thing's for sure--it's more than just words.
And don't forget to visit the Pittsburgh in Words website for more classic Pittsburgh stories, by Annie Dillard, John Edgar Wideman, Stewart O'Nan, Tom Junod and many others!
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The Great Twitter Experiment
The CNF Daily Twitter contest continues to gain in popularity. In fact, it's blossomed into quite an interesting online community of micro-essayists.
Regardless of your feelings about Twitter--love it or hate it--we encourage you all to partake in this uber-short writing exercise and connect with like-minded nonfiction writers. And who knows? You may even find your tweet in an upcoming issue of Creative Nonfiction.
Not sure what we're looking for? Below are a few of the recent daily winners, to serve as examples and inspiration:
August 19
razur009 The captain announced engine trouble. All she thought was: Eat my sandwich in case I die? She did; danger passed. Hunger returned. #cnftweet
August 24
JHammons Our mother hid candy in old purses. Spongy circus peanuts, sugared orange slices, iced cherry discs. We ate it. Her lipstick, too. #cnftweet
August 31
swinglet #cnftweet I roll a paper napkin into a long, magnificent tail, and tuck one end into my daughter's shorts. She runs from me, growling.
September 14
William_Bradley My eyes burned with anguish and anger too, as the carrney hosed my puke off the ride and my very first date looked away, disgusted. #cnftweet
All of the winners are available on our profile page under the "Favorites" tab, and the finer details of the contest are below:
Forget 6-word memoirs. Can you tell a true story in 130 characters or less? Think you could write twenty CNF-worthy tweets a day? Go for it. We dare you. There's no limit and submitting is easy. Simply tag your 130-character creative nonfiction tweet with the trending topic #cnftweet, and then hit "Update." That's it.
Our editors pick a daily winner and re-tweet the best of the day.
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CNF No-Residency Mentoring Program
Flexible schedule. One-on-one interaction. Customized courses.
Here at Creative Nonfiction, we understand that not everyone wants or needs a degree to become a better writer. We also understand that in economic times such as these, there aren't a lot of people with the funds to invest in a two to three year MFA program or even a summer conference.
CNF's mentoring programs offer writers of all levels one-on-one access to accomplished mentors (who, by the way, aren't just great writers, but experienced teachers and editors, too).
So this year, save the money you'd be spending on travel, lodging, and tuition and get the personalized attention you want and deserve.
All of our courses are tailored to meet your specific needs, whether you're looking for help kick-starting a writing project or putting the final touches on a manuscript. Our mentors can help you set realistic goals, illuminate your skills, address your weaknesses, and help build your confidence as a writer. We can help with book proposals, as well.
Work with the experts, and make an investment in your writing career now!
For more information, click here.
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Educator's Discount
Not only is Creative Nonfiction a great classroom resource for teachers, but it's affordable, too. CNF offers a 20% discount on all classroom orders of 10 or more copies of the journal.
To take advantage of this offer and order CNF for your students, please contact us (or have your bookstore contact us) by phone at 412.688.0304 or email at information@creativenonfiction.org.
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