Friday Fridge Clean-Out: Links for Writers, Sept. 9, 2011 Edition

►Book contest season has arrived, and here's a list of the small field which focuses on the memoir manuscript.

►On the Glimmer Train blog, Lynne Barrett discusses (often funnily) what an editor of a literary journal wants (and so rarely gets). Kind of makes you glad to be a submitting writer instead.  (hat tip Kendall Williams)

►Galley Cat has unearthed links to free ebooks of five ultra long novels. 

►At Writer's Digest University, an excellent example of the kind of crisp, no-frills cover letter recommended for literary journal submissions; plus, other tips for less submission stress (via @ErikaDreifus).

►Amazon has launched an interactive feature inviting its customers (or anyone, really) to ask questions of their favorite authors. Queries can be posted either online or from Kindle.

►Quick – pronounce these authors' names:  Colm Tobin, J.M Coetzee, Jhumpa Lahiri. Need help?  Try this cheat sheet. (via Shelf Awareness)

►Many – at least 200 – MFA faculty members are upset at Poets & Writers Magazine's ranking of MFA programs, and have said so in an open letter.

►Finally, one writer asks herself 200 Questions Before Lunch.

Have a great weekend!

Three Upcoming Local Events for Writers - Come See Me Sometime!

The next few weeks are shaping up to be busy, event-wise, for me.  For those of you who are local, perhaps you'd like to join me. All events are free and open to the public.

Monday, September 19 -- Pen to Prose, Nutley (NJ) Library, 93 Booth Drive, 6:30 p.m. After I discuss tips for writing more dynamic dialogue, I'll stay and contribute to the group's regular critique session. For more information, click here.

Sunday, October 2 -- Bluestockings Bookstore and Café, 172 Allen Street, New York City, 7 – 9 p.m.  I am one of 12 writers reading our food-based poems, which appear in the recently-published collection, Broken Circles: A Gathering of Poems for Hunger, from Cave Moon Press.  Please bring two canned or boxed goods if you are able, for the Food Bank of New York.  C'mon by, Manhattan friends. Help celebrate my birthday! More details here.

Tuesday, October 11 -- Penny University, The Fine Grind Coffee Bar Café, 101 Newark-Pompton Turnpike (route 23), Little Falls, NJ,  9:30 – 11:30a.m.  Write About What You Love: Turning your love of a hobby, sport, interest and other passions into prose.  I'll talk about my experiences writing and publishing work that pivots on my interests in horses and riding, food, raising sons, and other passions; also, tips and advice for writing, research and editing material about what you happen to love, too.  (This is my local go-to place to meet clients and friends, and they are big supporters of local writers and literary events.)

Reminder:  *I Should Be Writing* Boot Camp still has openings for the session starting in just a few days, on Monday, September 12.  An affordable, enjoyable way to break out of a writing rut: get going, keep going and stay accountable!  Details here.