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NEWS and EVENTS
We have so me very big news this month: Creative Nonfiction is starting a book publishing division! Our new imprint, Creative Nonfiction Books, will debut in spring 2012, and will be distributed by Publishers Group West.
Creative Nonfiction Books will share CNF's emphasis on infusing substance with style. Many of our titles will be anthologies--literary collections of personal essays and memoir--such as those we've published in the past with partners. We will also have a special focus on medical narrative and science, stories that bring information and ideas about our rapidly-changing world to readers and encourage reflection and in-depth exploration of important subjects.
Stay tuned for more information--coming very soon!--about Creative Nonfiction Books' first titles and for calls for submissions for upcoming book projects. Or, check out this brief write-up at Publishers Weekly. -  Five online courses pack CNF's winter term, including a brand-new intensive study that offers a deep look into the craft and business of writing medical narratives:
The course, Writing Medical Narratives, is an extended 12-week class that teaches medical professionals of all types the skills needed to write and publish narratives--personal stories of their experiences (and those of others in their fields). The course features special guest lectures by industry professionals, including Manoj Jain, Theresa Brown, Sayantani DasGupta and Jason Lewis.
Registration for all classes is open now! Sign up by December 28, 2011 for an early registration discount (or by December 14 as part of CNF's Holiday Sale--more on that below!).
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Today, as you've probably heard, is Cyber Monday, which can only mean one thing - it's time for the annual Creative Nonfiction Holiday Sale! This year, we're offering some of our lowest prices on a huge selection of CNF books, back issues, classes and merch, plus a few limited-time, hand-picked packages. There's something here for just about everyone:
- The Creative Nonfiction Starter Kit: Everything a new writer needs to keep it real--three volumes of the best creative nonfiction; a 4-issue subscription (or renewal) to CNF; a mug to help keep the caffeine flowing; a tote bag to keep manuscripts, journals or a laptop safe; and a copy of Keep It Real: Everything You Need to Know About Researching and Writing Creative Nonfiction
- Creative Nonfiction Writer's Survival Kit: The writing essentials--a great collection of essays for inspiration; a 4-issue subscription (or renewal) to CNF; a coffee mug; and a sturdy tote for manuscripts, journals, or a laptop.
- The Godfather Gift Set: three of CNF editor Lee Gutkind's best books and a 4-issue subscription (or renewal) to CNF
- The Best Creative Nonfiction Box Set PLUS: all three volumes of The Best Creative Nonfiction AND a copy of In Fact: The Best of Creative Nonfiction
- Immersion Journalism Online Course PLUS: a 10-week online course, plus two books, a tote, and a 4-issue subscription (Canadian residents, here; international residents, here)
- Foundations of Creative Nonfiction Online Course PLUS: a 10-week online course, plus a book, a mug, a tote, and a 4-issue subscription (U.S. residents only)
Looking for something else? Nearly all of our books and magazines are on sale. Browse all of our holiday specials here. Order before Wednesday, December 14 for the best prices and to guarantee arrival in time for the holidays. We'll even send a gift note--just enter the details in the "comments" box at check-out.
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Finally, this month we bid farewell to CNF assistant editor Jenelle Pifer after almost 2 1/2 years. We wish Jenelle terrific success as she heads out into Pittsburgh to focus on writing and broadcast journalism. We also send a warm welcome to Ginny Levy, who will take over the majority of Jenelle's responsibilities.
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Submission Deadlines
| November 30, 2011
January 31, 2012 BECOMING A NURSE
January 31, 2012
February 29, 2012 AUSTRALIA |
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RECENT WINNERS:
 Mardi Jo Link is the winner of Creative Nonfiction's $1,000 Prize for Best Anger & Revenge Essay for "Rebecca vs. Mr. Wonderful," a personal tale of divorce, motherhood and life on her small Michigan farm. Link's narration, often comic, is delivered sarcastically, through the haze (and occasional clarity) of a mid-morning beer buzz:
"It's garbage day and my soon-to-be ex-husband is getting settled into his newly rented digs directly across the street from me by hauling the rejects of our near 20-year marriage out to the curb. In my book of holidays and special occasions, that calls for a beer. For once, I do not have to set a good example. The boys are with their grandparents, my parents, at the Link family cottage ostensibly so their mother can "get some spring cleaning done" because it's "spring cleaning time." This is what their grandparents, my parents, tell my sons. They are country boys, but not dumb. They know this actually means that I need time alone to "simmer my shit down." This is what I hear the boys say privately, amongst themselves, when they think I'm not listening." Link resides in Traverse City, MI, where she is currently working on a memoir, forthcoming from Knopf. Link is the author of two true crime books and has worked as a police reporter, street tree planter, seamstress and tournament pool player.  Chester F. Phillips, a Ph.D. student at the University of Arizona, receives the $500 Runner-Up Prize for Best Anger & Revenge Essay for "Heroes and Consequences," an exploration of his response to his teenage sister's rape, and a commentary on the meaning of masculinity in American culture.
This award marks his second CNF contest win and makes Phillips the first writer to claim two CNF prizes. His previous essay, "Charging Lions," won the $500 runner-up prize for an "Animals" issue released in winter 2011, and also earned him recognition as the runner-up for the 2011 PEN/Emerging Writer Award for Nonfiction. Both winning essays were chosen by CNF editors for publication in issue #43, to be released in December. Subscribe now and be among the first to receive the issue. |
DISTRACTIONS:
WHAT WE READ WHEN WE SHOULD BE WORKING
OPINION: In a "Bad Advice Wednesday" column, Dave Gessner offers a few tips on writing scenes (or rather, not writing them) that are actually quite good: "... Spread it around: Tell, don't Show!" Plus, CNF Editor Lee Gutkind is one of four editors to discuss the future of literary magazines in the newest issue of Poets & Writers.
GENRE: Fed up with explaining, Molly Pozel of The Missouri Review affirms that no, "creative nonfiction" is not an oxymoron. Meanwhile, the announcement of the 2011 National Book Award Finalists forces author Ned Stuckey-French to pause and consider the hierarchy of genres.
DIDION: Joan Didion releases a new memoir, "Blue Nights," about her daughter's death in 2005. In a review for the Los Angeles Review of Books, Meghan Daum admits to being "exasperated by Didion's relentless opacity." Later, in an interview with The Washington Post, Didion answers questions about distance, aging and writing about loss. |
 SUBMISSION CALLS
BOOK PROJECT: BECOMING A NURSE Postmark Deadline: November 30, 2011 January 31, 2012 Creative Nonfiction is seeking essays by and about nurses for a new book, "Becoming a Nurse: Real Stories of Nurses, Their Lives, and Their Patients." "Becoming a Nurse" will present readers with the world of medicine from the perspective of nurses in hospitals, in-home care programs, long-term care facilities, hospices, and the armed forces as they tell stories that recall and recreate the most salient moments of their careers. We are looking for writers who can write dramatically and vividly about the profession. Essays can range from 2,500-5,000 words but should be written in a narrative form, with scenes, description, vivid characters and a distinctive voice. Full details and submission guidelines here. Postmark Deadline: January 31, 2012 February 29, 2012 Creative Nonfiction, in association with Tashmadada, seeks new essays for a special "Australia" issue. We're looking for a variety of perspectives--from locals, expats, tourists, or anyone else--and will consider essays of all forms and focuses as long as Australia's landscape, people, and/or culture are prominently featured. The contest is co-sponsored by Tashmadada and The Writers Conversation and will be judged by Lee Gutkind and Leah Kaminsky. The Writers Conversation will award $9,000 in prizes. Full details and submission guidelines here.
GENERAL Accepted Year-Round We are always on the lookout for true stories, well told, about any subject. We also accept queries for columns and articles about specific topics. For complete guidelines and to view upcoming CNF issues and contests, please visit us online. |
| cnftweets
The CNF Daily Twitter Contest is one more way to get your work into CNF. Check out the 10 best tweets in #42 and participate daily for the chance to be published in an upcoming issue.
Still not sure what we're looking for? Here are a few recent winners, to serve as examples and inspiration:
OCTOBER 2
gruntleme Topography of Indoor Sadness: The bed stands at sea level; contour lines slink tightly up the hall. To cook, one hikes a massif. #cnftweet
OCTOBER 11
womerds Toothless, dirty, poor, an old Taiwanese man stirs from his park bench, opens his bag, offers me a beer, and unseats convention. #cnftweet
OCTOBER 17
lisamarigold The subway lights flickered as the small boy yelled, "On! Off!" We made eye contact across the aisle - I acknowledged his power. #cnftweet
OCTOBER 29
kmwalsh The snow plow sits, poised, waiting as the flakes accumulate. For Halloween next week, perhaps he'll go as a few dollars richer. #cnftweet
All of the past winners are available on our profile page under the "Favorites" tab.
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ONLINE CLASSES
Whether you're looking to branch into a new area of writing or trying creative nonfiction for the first time, CNF's winter semester presents five classes for writers of all skill levels, including a brand new course on medical narrative.
Sign up by December 28, 2011 for an early registration discount or save $25 anytime when you register with a friend. Visit our website to sign up and to view complete course details. Writing Medical Narrative teaches medical professionals of all types (doctors, nurses, researchers, aides, social workers, etc.) the various skills needed to write and publish narratives--personal stories of their experiences (and those of others in their fields). We will cover every step in the writing process, from brainstorming to researching to writing to revising, as well as the steps needed to pitch and publish an article or essay. This extended 12-week course also features guest lectures by industry professionals, including Manoj Jain, Theresa Brown, Sayantani DasGupta and Jason Lewis. Foundations of Creative Nonfiction introduces writers to the fundamentals of creative nonfiction, exploring both the techniques used to gather information and the literary skills needed to turn bare facts into personal and compelling essays. Participants will learn the basics of interviewing, immersion, research and other reporting skills. SPECIAL OFFER: Register by or before December 14th and receive a copy of Keep It Real; a CNF "You Can't Make This Stuff Up Mug"; and a CNF recycled-cotton tote at no extra cost! Writing the Personal Essay takes a close look at the writing and research skills needed to write a memoir or personal essay. We'll discuss how to best use essential literary elements such as detail, dialogue, structure and description, as well as how to collect information through interviews, research and other methods. Advanced Memoir & Personal Essay is designed for those who have already explored the basics of personal writing and wish to move on to a larger project or more challenging forms. Participants may work on sections of a memoir or on personal essays in a variety of styles. Class members will learn how to structure their chapters or essays, how to incorporate research into personal writing, how to develop character, how to use descriptive language effectively and more. Immersion Writing explores the genre in which the writer observes, participates in, and otherwise intimately explores his or her subject. We will take an in-depth look at the history and craft of this style of nonfiction writing that was revolutionized over four decades ago by trailblazers such as Gay Talese, Joan Didion and Tom Wolfe. Students will learn important fly-on-the-wall techniques such as sharp observation, skillful note taking, laidback interviewing and how to organize and structure immersion stories. SPECIAL OFFER: Register by or before December 14th and receive a copy of Lee Gutkind's classic immersion books Almost Human and The Best Seat in Baseball at no extra cost! Registration includes a 4-issue subscription to Creative Nonfiction. Please note: due to space limitations, registrants may withdraw anytime until Jan. 13, 2012, but will forfeit a non-refundable application fee of $50. View our complete refund policy here. |
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