Thursday, February 08, 2007

Hmong and Lao Writers: Feb. Opportunities

This is by no means a complete list, but some opportunities that should be on your radar this month include:

Hmong and Laotian Magazines

www.bakkamagazine.com
Accepting fiction/non-fiction short stories, poetry, essays and op-eds, photography, visual art submissions, letters to the editor. Bakka Magazine is a monthly magazine for anyone with a connection to Laos.

www.myspace.com/writersblocksection
They're currently fielding submissions for Unplug, a new bi-monthly Hmong magazine.

www.myspace.com/18xeem
18xeem is another Hmong magazine looking for writers, artists and other contributors. It's presently being produced bimonthly.

www.myspace.com/hmongpassion
Hmong Passion Magazine is looking for contributors. They have a strong youth and education focus. It's scheduled to be published quarterly (every 3 months).

www.myspace.com/hmongisu
Hmong Is You magazine is a biyearly magazine printed in May and November with a youth focus.

Asian American Magazines

The following Asian American magazines and websites could also always use new writers and contributors:

www.myspace.com/hyphenmagazine
Still going strong, Hyphen Magazine is always looking to give opportunities to freelancers, writers and artists.

www.tripmastermonkey.com is a daily news / culture site with a strong, humorous Asian American editorial bend. (But you don't have to necessarily be Asian American to write for them).

www.myspace.com/altrazine
Altra just launched, so now is as good a time as any to pitch ideas and stories to them.

http://www.myspace.com/alterasian
Alterasian is also looking for freelance writers and contributors.

http://www.colorlines.com/
Colorlines is a more serious bimonthly magazine, and is billed as the leading national, multi-racial magazine devoted to the creativity and complexity of communities of color. ColorLines features the best writing on the issues that affect these communities.


Important: It goes without saying that most of these journals and magazines presently don't pay, except perhaps in contributor's copies, but they will qualify as full publication credits and can be cited in your writing or artistic portfolios over the long run, and there's a reasonably high likelihood of your work being read by someone who will enjoy it.

As always, however, you should do your research when submitting to these magazines and journals and ask questions to make certain that you understand all of your rights as a writer/artist and that the publication in question can present your work in a way that will be satisfying to you.



NEA Literature Fellowships

This year, the NEA Literature Fellowships are for Fiction / Creative Non-Fiction and the deadline is March 1st, which means: Get going fast.

It's not an easy application, and you won't find out until at least December, to start a project no earlier than January 2008. But the sum is $25,000 if you get it.

You are eligible to apply in Fiction if, between January 1, 2000, and March 1, 2007, you have had published:

* At least 5 different short stories, works of short fiction, or excerpts from novels in two or more literary journals, anthologies, or publications which regularly include fiction as a portion of their format;

* or: A volume of short fiction or a collection of short stories;

* or: A novel or novella.

You are eligible to apply in Creative Nonfiction if, between January 1, 2000, and March 1, 2007, you have had published:

* At least 5 different creative essays (such as personal essays, memoirs, etc.) in two or more literary journals, anthologies, or publications; or

* A volume of creative nonfiction.

Pretty steep requirments, if you ask me, but not necessarily impossible for some of you, either. Good luck, and I hope this helps!



If you know of any other legitimate opportunities that you think would be of particular interest to Hmong, Laotian or Asian American artists and writers, please feel free to let me know!

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