#6: February 2024
Calls for submission, book launch events, & more!
Welcome back to Camberville Lit!
Quick weather PSA for all our neighbors: beware the Spring of Deception (also known as Fool’s Spring, or that one warm day in February that makes you think maybe winter is done?). Green sprouts may be starting to poke out of the dirt, but we’re not out of winter yet!
In today’s issue, we have submissions, proposals, and applications to send in, and lots of local events to attend!
Grants, Awards, & Programming
[US] Call for Submissions: Phosphorescence and Tell It Slant 2024
The Emily Dickinson Museum is now accepting proposals for our 2024 programs: Phosphorescence Contemporary Poetry Series – a virtual event held monthly May-October AND the 12th annual Tell It Slant Poetry Festival, held September 23 – 29! The Museum’s poetry programming features established and emerging poets who represent the diversity of the flourishing contemporary poetry scene and fosters community by placing poetry in the public sphere. Submit by Monday, February 26, 2024, 8:00am.
[US] National Endowment for the Arts: Creative Writing Fellowship
The National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowships program offers $25,000 grants to published creative writers that enable the recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement. In 2024, we will be accepting applications in poetry. Apply by March 8.
[Massachusetts] Reading Frederick Douglass Together
Each year, Mass Humanities organizes and funds free public events where communities gather together to read and talk about Frederick Douglass’ influential address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Organizations interested in hosting an event can propose any format for the reading and discussion that will foster a rich and productive community conversation. Monthly deadlines from Jan-June.
Residencies & Fellowships
[North Adams, MA] The Studios at MASS MoCA Residency Program
The Studios is MASS MoCA’s artist and writers residency program situated within the museum’s factory campus and surrounded by the beautiful Berkshire Mountains. Operated by MASS MoCA’s Assets for Artists department, the residency runs year-round and hosts up to 10 artists at a time. Artists of any nationality can apply for stays of 2 or 4 weeks. Early and Alumni applications now open for 2025 residencies; apply by March 8.
[Cherry Grove, NY] Fire Island Artist Residency
The first residency in the United States exclusively for artists identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, intersex, two-spirit or queer, annually accepts applications for its prestigious and internationally recognized summer program. Now in its 12th season in the secluded beach community of Cherry Grove, NY, a historic LGBTQ settlement of Fire Island, emerging artists will share a live/work space for a four-week program marked by intimate studio visits with, and public lectures by, renowned leaders in contemporary art, scholarship, activism and curation. Apply by April 1.
Local Events
[Boston] The Cycle: Confronting the Pain of Periods and PMDD
Tuesday, February 27 at 7:00pm
Shalene Gupta, author of The Cycle: Confronting the Pain of Periods (Flatiron) will be in conversation with Michelle Bowdler, author of National Book Award finalist Is Rape a Crime at Porter Square’s Seaport Location, 50 Liberty Drive.
[Boston] Teen Poetry Slam
Wednesday, February 28 from 5:00-7:00pm
Spoken Word @ Mass Poetry (SW@MP) will be hosting an individual teen slam at Porter Square Books in the Seaport. The event will highlight the work of young people (21 and under), but all are welcome.
[Boston] WAYS OF EATING Book Tour
Wednesday, March 6 from 5:00-6:00pm
Come to Beacon Hill Books & Cafe for for a reading and signing for Ways of Eating with mother-son duo Benjamin Aldes Wurgaft and Merry White!
[Boston] Mass Poetry U35 Reading Series
Thursday, March 7 from 7:00-9:00pm
Join Mass Poetry at Trident Booksellers & Cafe for our bimonthly U35 reading series. Our featured March poets include Tatiana Johnson-Boria, Simone John, and Cassandra de Alba.
[Boston] Launch Party for Children’s Book How to Make a Sandwich
Saturday, March 9 at 3:00pm
Join local illustrator and author Lorena Proia for the book launch of How to Make a Sandwich in Boston’s North End at I AM Books. Enjoy a delightful reading, kids' activities, and congenial conversations. Dive into the mysterious world disappearing sandwiches and celebrate with cannolis and creativity.
[Massachusetts] Making It Public for MA Artists
5 Tuesdays (March 12-April 9) from 5:00-6:30pm
This free 5-week virtual workshop series supports artists of all disciplines to explore and expand their public art practice. After the series, participants will be better equipped to respond to Calls for Temporary Public Art and foster more vibrant and equitable public spaces. Register by Friday, February 23.
Local Project Spotlight
[Sword & Kettle Press] Call for Submissions: Corvid Queen
We’re looking for original tales in traditional styles; queer, inclusive, and feminist retellings of traditional tales; and personal essays related to traditional tales. General submissions open until February 22; submissions from BIPOC authors only from February 23-29; submissions from Patreon members only from March 1-7.
[Sword & Kettle Press] Call for Submissions: Farewell, Neverland
We’re looking for fiction, poetry, photography, and visual art on the theme of growing up created by high school students, college students, and young adults. We’re a fantasy press, so pieces should have a fantastic or speculative bend! Submissions open until March 6.
Are you hosting an event, launching a book, looking for a writer’s group, or running a workshop sometime soon? Let me know via this handy form and I’ll review it for next month’s issue! (Next issue date: March 17.)
Until next time,
Kay Marlow Allen (they/them)
Editor, Camberville Lit