EMU Creative Writing Blog

Ypsilanti, Michigan-based VGKids will sponsor an effort to connect artists and musicians with available studio space. The project, Spur Studios, will center on rehabilitating long-vacant office space in Ypsilanti into private studios. Artists and musicians are often considered a cultural asset, attracting young talent and fresh businesses.

James Marks, Founder and Creative Director of VGKids, states “This is a simple grass roots effort and a sign of understanding from Ypsilanti stakeholders that the arts are going to play an integral role in our future. Washtenaw County has long needed a space where musicians can be loud without disrupting the neighborhood, and artists can get a little paint on the floor without losing the security deposit on an apartment.” 

Private studios are available in a variety of sizes with a one year lease. Roughly 75% of the studios have natural light, and the entire facility will have 24 hour access and off street parking. Living in the building is expressly forbidden.

A general meeting for potential tenants will be held Sunday July 19th, 2pm at Corner Brewery. Following a presentation, a tour of available spaces will take place at 800 Lowell Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.

For Project Information:
James Marks
Founder and Creative Director, VGKids
marks@vgkids.com
734.732.6084
For Leasing Information:
http://www.spurstudios.org

Every Wednesday, 4:15-5:15 (EST) on WCBN 88.3 FM Ann Arbor, catch Living Writers with host T. Hetzel.  During the show, poets and prose writers read from their work and talk about their passions and preoccupations.

Four Way Books is accepting submissions in poetry and short fiction through June 30, 2009.  Recent editorial selections have included Catherine Bowman, Tom Healy, Eileen Pollack, and C. Dale Young.

Read the submission guidelines here.

Dzanc Books has announced its newest venture: an online journal called The Collagist. The first issue of The Collagist will be published on August 15th, 2009, and appear subsequently each month thereafter at www.thecollagist.com. Each month, The Collagist will deliver new short stories, poems, and essays from both emerging and established writers, an exclusive excerpt from a forthcoming novel, and book reviews.

The Collagist is immediately open for submissions in all categories.  Submissions guidelines can be found at:
 www.thecollagist.com/submissions.html

The English Department at Adrian College is seeking adjuncts to teach Freshman writing classes.  Ideally, adjuncts will be able to teach a MW or MWF schedule.  Classes are 4 credits, capped at 18 students.  Interested applicants should contact Carman Curton, head of the English Department, at ccurton@adrian.edu or 517-263-9952.

The Department would like to fill all positions by mid-June but will consider applicants all summer if necessary.

English Teaching Position:  Washtenaw Technical Middle College
English Educator
Secondary Certification
Competitive Salary and Benefits
Participant State of Michigan Retirement System
Washtenaw Technical Middle College
4800 East Huron River Drive
Ann Arbor, MI    48105
Contact:  Patricia Sahakian
Fax or Send:  Cover letter of intent, resume and three letters of recommendation
Job Posting Expiration Date:  June 5, 2009

WRITE NOW!, a one-day conference for writers will take place May 30, 2009, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.  This is a free conference, but seating is limited and reservations are required.  This conference is co-sponsored by the Novi Public Library Writers Group and the Novi Public Library.

Presenters include: poet Dawn McDuffie, The MacGuffin editor Steven A. Dolgin, Metro Parent Group editor Kim Kovell, 3rd Wednesday editor Laurence W. Thomas, and author Patti Shenberger.

Topics include: Getting started, resources for writers, choosing a writing group, the writing process, publishing opportunities, and the view from the editor’s desk.

Location: Michigan State University’s Tollgate Education Center (28115 Meadowbrook Rd., Novi, MI).

To register and for more info: Call 248-224-4211.

Applications are invited for an AHRC-funded Collaborative PhD Research Studentship, held jointly by the University of Edinburgh department of English Literature and the Scottish Poetry Library, for research on ‘Culture in Conflict: The Moment of Concrete and the Development of Scottish Poetics’.  The project will focus on the period 1960-1980, exploring the contributions of  Edwin Morgan and Ian Hamilton Finlay to the shaping of a Scottish response to the ‘concrete international’ and the development of ‘concrete’ techniques into other forms of narrative and visual texts.

The studentship offers an outstanding opportunity to pursue a fully-funded PhD while gaining work experience in research-related areas, including training in library archive management and exhibition curation.  The studentship is funded for three years and will begin in September or October 2009.

Candidates should have a relevant undergraduate degree and should have completed a postgraduate master’s degree by September 2009.

AHRC website: http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Pages/default.aspx

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, outlining qualifications for the studentship and the names and contact details of two academic referees.   They should also submit a writing sample (for example, a Masters’ programme term paper or a chapter of a dissertation).

Applications should be submitted to:
Professor Laura Marcus
English Literature, School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures
David Hume Tower, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JX
E-mail: laura.marcus@ed.ac.uk

Closing date for applications:  Monday June 8th

Interviews will be held at the beginning of July.

For further details contact Professor Laura Marcus:
laura.marcus@ed.ac.uk

Bring your electronic and digital work (sound and video), your performance pieces, and your ears to:

Mash-up@ Elmo’s Hideaway
by STS Productions LLC
What: Jam Session
Host: Jonas & Elmo & Dainius
When: Wednesdays, 8-10 pm, May 20- July 29
Where: Elmo’s Hideaway, 220 S. Main St., near Liberty St.

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=770352800&k=3WFT2ZWRUYVM5BBHV1Y4S4

May is Short Story Month.  Check out some of the postings at Emerging Writers Network (link below) where posters are singing the praises of their favorite short stories.  You might discover a great piece of short fiction that you’d never heard of before.

 Plus, EWN makes note of other places that are putting some focus on Short Story Month.

You can see it all here.