Do you have the write stuff?

Okay. Forgive me for that perfectly predictable pun. But if you write fiction and feel particularly ambitious this fine day, Stanford University is hiring a fiction writer. So, dust off the CV, turn off the Pantera Behind the Music on Youtube, and get your application in by December 4, 2009. For more info--courtesy of Academic Careers Online--here is the listing.

Break a leg!

--julius.

Sneak Peak: Evolution of a Magazine Cover

Dear Normals,

Many of you have commented on how much you like our covers. Thanks. We like them a lot, too. Each one has been custom created for The Normal School by a different artist . Our Fall issue will be hitting the shelves soon. For a little sneak peak, take a look at the creative process of our latest cover artist, Jason Graham (a former Fresnite who now lives and works in Portland, Oregon). We're very excited to show Jason's work to the Normal masses. If you like what you see, let Jason know and support artists in your community. It matters.

And if you want to see the final cover, subscribe and see the Normal results!

Thanks. -- Barry Wayne Normal

"You don't actually read these, do you?"

This is an actual, hand-written comment we found on an author's cover letter last week. To be fair, we're going to assume the author meant, "You don't actually read [cover letters], do you?" Not, "You don't actually read these [stories, essays, poems], do you?" Because the latter would be utterly ridiculous.

So, to answer this bold question quite honestly -- no. And yes. Yes and no. We read them AFTER deciding whether or not we like a piece, and we'll admit that a small fraction of our decision is based on the contents of the cover letter. Say, 1/200%. The other 99 199/200% is based on the writing. So, if you're not very good at math, you might think that cover letters are really important. And if you are good at math, include them anyway. We don't want to hear about the litter of kittens your Tabby just gave birth to, but we wouldn't mind seeing where you've been published (if you've been published) and whether or not it's a simultaneous submission.

Will we think less of you for addressing your cover letter to the generic "Fiction Editor" or "Poetry Editor"? No. Will we think you're kissing up if you address it to Steven Church, Alex Espinoza or Connie Hales? No. (Although we like kiss-ups.)

In short: Yes, include a cover letter. No, it's not going to make any difference as to whether or not we like your manuscript. Yes, we like kiss-ups. Does that help?

If you want any additional logistical info as to what to include, you might want to check out About.com's "Cover Letter Advice." Thanks, About.com. We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Happy submitting!

Why wouldn't you enter this contest?

All--

Came across this contest in The Writer's Chronicle and figured I'd share it: Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival Fiction Contest.

Air-fare, accommodations, public reading, and fifteen hundred bucks? I'm in. Maybe they'll even get Brad Pitt to build the winner a house. Here's the contest site for more information. Or, if you just have to be networky and social about it, the facebook page.

Follow that Editor

Hey Folks,

Check out the latest Best American Essays, where you will find an essay, "The Myopia of Scale" from our Editor, Matt Roberts, listed as Notable Essay for 2009. This piece was first published in the uber-cool lit mag, Ecotone. Congrats, Matt!

-- TNS

Follow that Contributor!

TNS #2 contributor Margot Livesey ("Only Plump the Pillows," p. 25) is featured in the current issue of Ninth Letter.

You will also find in this same issue an essay on gaming by former Normal School intern, J. Nicholas Geist.

Do yourself a favor and check this magazine out. You will not be disappointed.

Follow that Contributor!

The Normal School #2 contributors Beth Ann Fennelly ("Chicago, 1988", p. 93) and Ander Monson ("Ander Alert", p. 88) are both featured in the latest issue of the Oxford American. This is OA's Best of the South 2009 issue and should not be missed.

If you can't find it at your local newsstand or magazine rack, then please contact them at www.oxfordamerican.org. Buy a subscription. This is time and money well spent.