From Electric Literature:

Electric Literature and Colson Whitehead bring you the #stuffmymusesays Twitter Contest -- Starts Tomorrow, ends Friday!

Colson Whitehead (http://twitter.com/colsonwhitehead) is the award-winning author of Sag Harbor, John Henry Days, The Intuitionist, and such tweets as "I wish Pangea never broke up. Their solo work has been terrible. #landmass-sadness.”

Colson has coined the contest hashtag, #stuffmymusesays, and will judge. When asked how he became so adept at social media, Colson tweeted, "I had a cat. The cat died. Now all the stuff I used to say to the cat all day, I tweet!"

The best tweet your muse say wins, and s/he doesn't have to be literary--anything goes. The only rule: Put the #stuffmymusesays hashtag at the end of every tweet. All tweets with this hashtag will be automatically entered, and Colson Whitehead will pick the winner.

The writer of the winning tweet will receive a BRAND NEW SONY eREADER, as well as honor, glory, and fame.The contest will run an entire week, beginning on Monday, March 29th, and ending on Friday, April 2nd.This contest is sponsored by the fine folks at Sony, to celebrate Electric Literature's introduction to the Sony eReader store: http://bit.ly/9QqWtg

#stuffmymusesays: start tweeting!

There was a good crowd at Cathy Day's reading at UIndy last night, where she read her short story called "Your Book: A novel in Stories," from the most recent issue of the fabulous journal Ninth Letter.

During the Q&A after the reading, Cathy said about ten thousand interesting things that I would love to relate here . . . but my memory is for shit, which at least partially accounts for why I became a fiction writer: because I can't remember anything, I always have to make stuff up.

I really should start taking a notepad to these things.

Still, I remember a few writing-related things that I'll try to relate here. Understand that these are rough paraphrases, with at least 25% bullshit.

-Writing is composed of three phases: writing, revision (re-seeing), and editing. Writing is like your mind barfing material on the page. Revising is where you re-see and re-shape the piece, and editing is line-level polishing. Writing on computers has convinced some people that they can do all three phases at once, but this hardly ever works out. So, remember: barf first, then take a fresh look at it later.

-In an answer reminiscent of Malcolm Gladwell's theory of 10,000 hours to build mastery, Cathy talked about the first ten years of a writer's career. She said something like, "Once you decide to give writing a spin, it takes about ten years to really get good." After that, your instincts become sharper, stories get done more quickly, but "those first ten years kind of suck."

-And here was her most heartening answer, at least to me: the writers who make it are the writers who persevere. She claimed that she wasn't the strongest writer in her grad program, or even in her undergrad classes, but she kept at it. "The writers who make it are often the ones who say, 'I'm going to give this a shot,' and stick with it." Apparently for ten years, which sounds about right to me.

In Print V: Festival of First Books @ Ball State

Event Information

Date

3/22/2010

Time

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Venue

Art and Journalism Building
Room 175

Audience

General Audience

Additional Information

In Print V: Ball State's Festival of First Books featuring newly minted authors Mitchell Douglas, Mary Miller, and Kao Kalia Yang: A Triple Reading.

Mitchell L. H. Douglas's debut poetry collection, Cooling Board: A Long-Playing Poem (Red Hen Press, 2009), explores the personal and professional struggles of soul legend Donny Hathaway. His poems have appeared in Callaloo, Crab Orchard Review, and the anthologies The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South (University of Georgia Press), America! What's My Name? (Wind Press), and Zoland Poetry Volume II (Zoland Books) among others. He was named a finalist for the Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize in 2007 and nominated for a Puschart Prize in 2006. Douglas is a founding member of the Affrilachian Poets, a Cave Canem fellow, and Poetry Editor for PLUCK!: The Journal of Affrilachian Arts & Culture.

Mary Miller's short story collection, Big World, was published in February 2009 by Short Flight/Long Drive Books. Her stories can be found in McSweeney's Quarterly, Versal, Mississippi Review, Black Clock, New Stories from the South 2008, and Oxford American. She is an associate editor at Quick Fiction.

Kao Kalia Yang's first memoir, The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir, was published by Coffee House Press in 2009. Yang and her sister founded a company dedicated to helping Twin Çities immigrants with writing, translating, and business services. A graduate of Carleton College and Columbia University, Yang has recently released The Place Where We Were Born, a film documenting the experiences of Hmong American refugees.

From Bookslut: A Jim Behrle Production

From the Indy Start: Noblesville Children's Bookstore to Close Up Shop

Downtown Noblesville will soon be a little less wild.

The children's bookstore which goes by the name, The Wild, will be closing its doors for good this evening.

Jane and Ernie Mills opened the bookstore five years ago, and Jane Mills took the lead it, including using her vocal talents to adapt to different characters as she read stories to children twice a week.

The lease at 884 Logan St. ended at the end of February, and she decided not to renew it, because -- although the store is profitable -- personal circumstances had made it too difficult.

For one, the couple's 11-year-old son, Fritz, has cystic fibrosis, an expensive disease to cope with, she said. What had been affordable has become much more difficult to pay due to changes in health coverage.

Mills put the store up for sale and was initially going to close it by the end of February if she didn't get a buyer.

But then a Noblesville family showed interest, so Mills decided to keep the store open into March, so the family could spend some time in the store, learn about it, and decide whether it was a good fit.

Mills was hopeful that the family would be the one to keep her bookshop going, as she very much wanted it to remain open to educate and entertain children.

But the family realized that running the bookstore wasn't going to fit in well with their lives.

"Sometimes no matter how many ways we hope, things just don't turn out the way we wished they would," Mills said in an e-mail that she sent to her bookstore clients and friends.

The rest of the article is here. It only gets sadder. Grab some kleenex before you click. And then, for the love of God, buy a book from an indie bookstore and shoot an email to your congressperson supporting healthcare reform.

From Jim Walker @ Second Story

Saturday March 13, 2010 at 5 p.m.
Garfield Park Arts Center
2432 Conservatory Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46203

Visual art and poetry come together on Saturday March 13, 2010 for an inspired evening of artistic collaboration at the Garfield Park Arts Center. Meet the artists, hear live poetry readings, and enjoy refreshments. See how art can inspire art as you read poetry and see paintings with shared themes in this exhibit coordinated by Indianapolis-based author and artist, Lylanne Musselman.

For Second Story’s part of the show, we worked with 23 sixth graders from the SENSE school in Fountain Square who have written poems inspired by the collages of Max Ernst.The free opening reception on March 13th from 5-8 p.m. will feature poets performing live readings of the works featured in the Main Gallery exhibit as well as interactive writing and art activities.

Stay after the reception for Vintage Movie Night featuring the film Laddie (1940) from 8-9:30 p.m. The film is based on the book by Indiana author/poet Gene Stratton-Porter.

The Poetry in Paint Exhibit will be on display from 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 2 to 6 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays beginning March 13 through May 2. There is no cost for admission to the Garfield Park Arts Center, Poetry in Paint Exhibit and opening reception.

WHAT: Poetry in Paint Opening Reception, Exhibit, Vintage Movie Night: Laddie (1940)COST: Exhibit and Opening Reception are Free, $2 for Vintage Movie Night

WHEN: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 13, 2010WHERE: Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive

When I sit down to write, I usually begin by writing out a prayer. Nothing too formal. Just talking to God about whatever's on my mind for a few minutes before I move on to fiction.

Occasionally my mind drifts, though (sorry, God), and takes a lead-off toward fiction. I guess that's what happened about a year ago, when the thought occured to me that a prayer is really just a dramatic monologue, addressed to God.

And what a dramatic monologue. I mean, when is anyone more naked and yearning than when they're praying?

Or, on the flip side, when is anyone rationalizing harder or fooling himself more completely than during prayer?

And then I thought: let's find out.

Along with Matthew Simmons, my friend and fellow Warren Wilson grad, I commissioned a series of stories in this mode, of characters talking to God. The project, called On Earth As it Is, is a cycle of prayer narratives from writers of different faiths. Each week, the site will showcase a new prayer narrative. Contributing writers include Melanie Rae Thon, Erin McGraw, Michael Kimball, Melissa Pritchard, Leni Zumas, Pasha Malla, Michael Martone, and others.

And now, it brings me a ton of happiness and two tons of relief to announce that the site is live. Melanie's piece is up first. Check it out, check back next week for the next installment, and please, please, please, help spread the word.

March picks revealed at Andrew's Book Club. And this month, a twist: in addition to the Big House and Small Press pick, he adds a MicroPress pick.

From the Indiana Arts Commission's Artseye:

University High School of Indiana Student Wins Poetry Out Loud Contest

The Indiana Arts Commission recently announced that Elise Lockwood, a senior at University High School of Indiana in Carmel, was named the state champion at the fifth annual Indiana Poetry Out Loud competition held Saturday, February 27 at the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library's Clowes Auditorium.

Miss Lockwood's 3rd round recitation of Billy Collins' "Litany" won her a $200 cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to represent Indiana during the NationalPoetry Out Loud finals April 25-28. Lockwood will compete among 53 high school students from every state, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Students taking part in the national competition will have a chance to win a $20,000 scholarship prize. Lockwood also secured a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books for University High School of Indiana's library.

"We were delighted to have statewide participation, including students from Anderson, Bloomington, Columbus, Floyds Knobs, Plymouth, South Bend, Warsaw and Whitestown," said Lewis C. Ricci, IAC executive director. "We wish Elise all the best as she prepares to compete in the national competition next month."

Lockwood is a seasoned Poetry Out Loud participant, having placed third in the 2009 state competition. This year's second place was awarded to Colleen Friedly, a senior at Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis. Miss Friedly was awarded a $100 cash prize and a $200 stipend for her school's library. Jenaya Hooks from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis was awarded third place.

Judges of the state competition included Joyce Brinkman, former Indiana Poet Laureate, Indianapolis; Christopher Citro, host of "The Poet's Weave" on WFIU, Bloomington; SIAM (Shaikh Ibrahim Al-Jahizz M'Backe) a poet from Bloomington; MomJara, a literary and performing artist from Indianapolis; and Emily Hankley Berger, Annual Fund Coordinator, Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, Indianapolis. Campbell Ricci, a student musician from Brown County High School, provided entertainment between rounds.

The Indiana Arts Commission coordinated the state poetry recitation contest through funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Poetry Foundation as part of the federal agency's national Poetry Out Loud program. The project is designed to encourage youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, which helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and internalize an appreciation for American Literary heritage.

From Publisher's Lunch:

Deal News

Among the newest deals: Sarah Palin's next book, a "celebration of American virtues and strengths"; Maureen Callahan's Lady Gago bio POKER FACE; a book from Florida State University's football coach Bobby Bowden; THE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER PARTY BOOK; and more.

I want you to tear off my face. My whole face. And then, on the one-in-a-million chance that I might learn Braille and accidentally thumb through one of these books, please chop off my hands.

Lookie what I just found! A story on Annalemma from Alex, one of Butler's grad students. I'm tempted to say more about this weirdly beautiful story, but then you'd be reading this instead of his stuff and—I'm going to stop now. Go. Read. Now.

I know this is pretty last minute, but I just got word about this, and I wanted to pass it along:

The Carmel Clay Public Library's launch event for Jeff Stone'sDragon, postponed from last month, will take place tomorrow, Thursday, March 4, 3:30 - 7:00 pm. The gala includes two book signing times, plus a presentation by this terrifically entertaining author.

Dragon is the the triumphant final installment in Jeff Stone's Five Ancestors series, action-packed books set in 17th century China. For more information about this series, visit The Five Ancestors website where you'll find a new Five Ancestors short story and The Grandmaster Challenge -- your chance to win an e-reader by completing the story. You should also check out Jeff's website atwww.readjeffstone.com

For details and directions to tomorrow's event, visit the Carmel library's website.

Hey, did anyone know that Neil Gaiman is coming to town?

By the way, the bottom of the promo answers the question of "How do you know when you're big time?"

The answer: "The author will not be signing copies of his works but free commemorative book plates will be available."

Part of me is like: Wow. He must do that to avoid getting mobbed.

But a bigger part of me is like: Sign books, dickhead. And be very freaking grateful that people actually want you to do that.

Freight Stories The best new fiction on the web. Or anywhere else, for that matter. No. 6 shines some light with new stories by Therese Svoboda, Robin Black, Fred Arroyo, Kip Robisch, Eugene Cross, Midge Raymond, Glen Pourciau, Chad Simpson, and Lori Rader Day.

Freight Stories is an online fiction journal featuring new work

by established and emerging writers. Editors Andrew Scott and Victoria Barrett

are excited to bring you another great issue, and hope you'll read it again and again.

www.freightstories.com

Award Winning Writer Benjamin Percy to Speak

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February 24, 2010

Get directions to Wabash College Baxter Hall

Wabash College will host contemporary fiction writer, Benjamin Percy, at 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 2, in room 101 in Baxter Hall.

Percy is one of the most renowned young voices in contemporary fiction today. He has won numerous awards, including a Whiting Award, one of the most prestigious awards for creative writing in the country.

He has published two collections of short fiction, The Language of Elk (2006) and Refresh, Refresh (2007) which was a Graywolf Press bestseller. His novelThe Wilding is forthcoming this year also with Gray Wolf Press. He also has one graphic novel, an adaptation of Paris Review’s Plimpton-prize-winning story “Refresh, Refresh” and a film adaptation as well.

Percy’s fiction and nonfiction have been read on National Public Radio, performed at Symphony Space, and published by Esquire, Men’s Journal,Paris Review, Chicago Tribune, The Southern Review, and many other publications. His fiction has been anthologized in Best American Short Stories and The Pushcart Prize.

Percy received his BA with Honors from Brown University and his MFA with a teaching fellowship from Southern Illinois University. He currently teaches creative writing (fiction and nonfiction) in the MFA program at Iowa State University. Prior to joining the faculty, he taught at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Marquette University. Percy is also a faculty member at the Low-Res MFA program at Pacific University.

Percy’s talk is free and open to the public.