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In This Issue
News and Events
An Opportunity for Science Writers
Writing the Future Conference
Submission Calls
The Great Twitter Experiment
Mentoring
Educator's Discount
Quick Links


Upcoming Events

Feb. 24, 2010
Launch Event, 7-10pm
Pittsburgh, PA
Alto Lounge


Mar. 3, 2010
Publishing True Stories, 6 pm
Chicago, IL

DePaul University

Mar. 20, 2010
Writing the Future, 9am-5pm
Launch Event, 5-7pm
Bethesda, MD
The Writer's Center

Apr. 8-10, 2010
CNF at AWP
Denver, CO

Apr. 9, 2010
MFA Program Off Reading
and Launch Event
, 7-10pm
Denver, CO
The Shag Lounge

May 15-16, 2010
To Think/To Write/To publish Workshop
Tempe, Arizona
Presented by CSPO

Sept. 12, 2010
CNF @ The Brooklyn Book Festival, 10am-6pm
Brooklyn, NY
(details coming soon)

Oct. 22-24, 2010
Mid-South Conference
Oxford, MS
(details coming soon)

Submission Deadlines

Apr. 2, 2010
Animals


Aug. 6, 2010
Immortality
(details coming soon)

Sept. 3, 2010
Food
(details coming soon)

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February 2010
Newsletter
HOT OFF THE PRESSES!
 
At this very moment, Issue 38 is on the press, and Wednesday, February 24 will be the official unveiling of the completely redesigned CNF! That night, team CNF will be just down the street from our Shadyside offices, at the Alto Lounge, giving the new issue away for free to anyone who shows up to help us celebrate in the Pittsburgh area.

There will be a short reading by our special Issue38Coverguest Rebecca Skloot, free food from Gypsy Cafe, Quiet Storm, and East End Food Co-op, music by Vipers Soul Club and much to celebrate.

Not going
to be in town for the party? Don't worry: you can join us at one of our other redesign launch events across the country (details below). You can also subscribe now and be among the first to receive the new issue in the mail. Or, if you prefer to pick up your CNF at a local bookstore or library, look for the the new magazine later in March -- and if your local bookstore or library doesn't carry Creative Nonfiction, tell them they should!

As you know, the redesign has been a long time in the making. The premiere issue includes an encounter with Dave EggersPhillip Lopate on using imagination, the history of Creative Nonfiction (the magazine and the genre)--and, of course, a slew of those great, long-form narrative essays we've been publishing for the better part of the last two decades--including new work by Carolyn Forché, Virginia Morell,  Eric Hagerman and an excerpt from Rebecca Skloot's new bestseller, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

And now for those parties...

CNF REDESIGN LAUNCH
EVENTS

Free admission and free magazines! At every stop on the launch tour, that's what we're offering. That's right, free admission to all of the CNF launch events and a free magazine for everyone in attendance. The details will change from city to city (see below) but each event will provide readers the opportunity to pick up the new magazine, enjoy themselves, and rub elbows with CNF Editors.

TOUR STOPS INCLUDE:

Pittsburgh, PA, Feb. 24, 7-10 pm
Alto Lounge, 728 Copeland Street

Join us at our hometown launch party and be the first to get your hands on the new magazine. Event highlights include a reading by special guest Rebecca Skloot, free food from Gypsy Cafe, Quiet Storm, and East End Food Co-op, music by Vipers Soul Club and more.

Chicago, IL, March 3, 6pm
DePaul University, 1110 W. Belden Ave
McGowan South 105

CNF's Managing Editor, Hattie Fletcher, is traveling to the Windy City to give a talk as a part of DePaul University's Visiting Writers Program. "Publishing True Stories" will be a unique opportunity to learn about the process of redesigning CNF and a look into the quarterly editorial and production process.

Bethesda, MD,
March 20, 5-7 pm
The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh Street

Come unwind with participants and presenters following the Writing the Future Conference (see details below). Featuring readings by CNF contributors.

Denver, CO, April 9, 7-10 pm
The Shag Lounge, 830 15th Street

Relax after a long day at the AWP conference, drink some drinks, and listen to readings from the finalists and winner of the MFA Program-Off Contest, all within stumbling distance of the Colorado Convention Center and conference hotels.
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SCIENCE WRITERS

To think / To write / To publish

The Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes (CSPO) at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Calling all beginning science writers!

The Consortium for Science Policy & Outcomes (CSPO) at Arizona State University is presenting an intensive
Rightful Place of Science Image
two-day workshop, "To think / To write / To publish," led by Lee Gutkind, Editor of CNF and Distinguished Writer in Residence at CSPO. Thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation selected writers can attend the workshop absolutely free.

This is an opportunity to hone your craft, meet with editors, get feedback and make connections in the science writing community.
You will learn how to apply creative nonfiction techniques, to work with scientists, to consult with editors of major magazines and to publish creative nonfiction.

There are a limited amount of spaces but
those selected will receive an honorarium and all expenses for the two days of the workshop and the three day conference ("The Rightful Place of Science?") that follows. The application includes a two page letter describing your interest/background in science, technology, and public policy - as well as a one page biographical statement.

Applications for the workshop are being accepted until March 15.

For more information about the application process, the workshops and the conference, visit the
CSPO website and click on "Opportunities for Writers." 

WtFWRITING THE FUTURE
The Writer's Center, Bethesda, MD

Writing the Future, a one-day, information-packed conference for writers of all types, will explore and explain the transitions and innovations taking place in the literary and publishing worlds.

Writing the Future will address technological advancements affecting the ways information is delivered to readers. Panelists and presenters will also address the ways in which content itself will change--what writers will need to know to remain relevant in the second decade of the 21st Century, and beyond. 

Sessions include:
  • The Future of the Long Essay
  • Truth and Consequences: Changing the Rules of Writing
  • Write Shorter, Faster, and with More Meaning
  • From Video-books to Social Publishing: The Future of Reading and Writing
This event will feature presentations and panels with some of the most forward-thinking writers, editors, agents, publishers and bloggers working in the field today:

Come get a preview of the future of publishing and stay one step ahead of the curve.

Sponsored by The Creative Nonfiction Foundation, The Writer's Center, and Arizona State University's Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes.

*REMEMBER* Space is limited, and the conference is quickly filling up. Register today to guarantee your participation in this exciting day.

For more information or to register, click here.

SUBMISSION CALLS

UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who sent in their work during our last two contests, "End of Life Stories" and the "MFA Program-Off." We are completely overwhelmed by the number of manuscripts we received. (And totally impressed by MFA students' mastery of pushing deadlines; the number of submissions more than doubled over the last two days of the contest!)

We're reading the MFA essays now and will announce finalists in a few weeks. The quality of the essays we have received is fantastic; Judge Barbara Lounsberry has a tough job ahead of her!

As for End of Life, we apologize in advance -- due to our small staff and the number of submissions we have received it may be a few months before we reach final decisions for the End of Life contest.

We appreciate your patience during this time.


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 April 2, 2010, and "Animals" must be clearly marked on the envelope and cover letter.

IMMORTALITY
The essays from Issue 38 of Creative Nonfiction will be part of an upcoming book to be published by Southern Methodist University Press. We're currently seeking new essays to round out this collection.

We want to include a variety of perspectives on recent scientific developments and the likelihood, potential merits and ramifications of biological immortality. We're looking for essays by writers, physicians, scientists, philosophers, clergy -- anyone with an imagination, a vision of the future, and a dream (or fear) of living forever.

Submissions must be postmarked by August 6, 2010, and "Immortality" must be clearly marked on the envelope and cover letter.

FOOD
Just a heads-up. For an upcoming issue, Creative Nonfiction will be seeking new essays about what keeps us all going -- food. Food you like and food you hate; subjects on sustenance of any sort.

More details to come.

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.

General submissions are accepted year round and there is no reading fee.

---
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

For more information about any of these collections and complete submission guidelines, visit us online or email us at [email protected].
The Great Twitter Experiment

The CNF Daily Twitter Contest is another way to get your work into the "new" CNF magazine. That's right, a handful of winners from the Daily CNF Twitter Contest  will appear in our upcoming issue.

Still not sure what we're looking for? Here are a few recent winners, to serve as examples and inspiration:

January 13

EdBankson In their kids, she saw carbons of herself - crying at every unfulfilled wish - and her husband - regularly tugging at her skirt. #cnftweet


January 21
inthemilk Grampa bent to tie his boot, and a sniper's bullet bit his ass. I owe my life to that war, that pesky shoelace, that dead sniper. #cnftweet

January 26
gruntleme At 90, his memory lost, the desire to walk endured. He'd slip out and go. Strangers would lead him home; Sisyphus after Sisyphus. #cnftweet

February 4
Surrealtweets
My grandfather is not dead, as my mother tells me, just despised. I've heard whispers from uncles: still alive, still drinking. #cnftweet

All of the past winners are available on our profile page under the "Favorites" tab
.
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 or email the mentoring director, Stephen Knezovich at [email protected].
 
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.

For more information or for recommended issues, visit our Educational Programs page.

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 [email protected].
 
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