Creative Nonfiction Newsletter
for Serious Writers & Readers

Table of Contents

CNF at KGB
Writing Contest for Students
Lee Writes for the Washington Post
Cafe Scientifique
Speed "Dating"
Blogging the 5 R's

LIVE FROM NEW YORK CITY

Come hear Lee Gutkind and three of the writers from "The Best Creative Nonfiction, Vol. 1" do a reading at New York City's eminent bar and literary forum KGB Bar. The anthology is narrative nonfiction at its cutting-edge best from writers at the cusp of recognition and fame, from alternative publications, 'zines, blogs, podcasts, literary journals, and other often overlooked publications in search of new voices and innovative ideas. Along with Lee, founder of Creative Nonfiction, editor of "The Best..." you'll also hear from: Jeff Gordinier, Editor-at-Large at Details magazine and a regular contributor to PoetryFoundation.org. His work has been included in anthologies such as "Best American Nonrequired Reading 2005," and "Best Food Writing 2006." Viking will publish his first book, "X Saves the World," in March 2008. Melissa Lafsky, a lawyer-turned-writer whose blog about law firm life, opinionistas.com, gained notoriety for its relentless skewering of the corporate legal world. She has written for numerous magazines and journals and served as a contributing editor at "The Huffington Post." Lori Soderlind, the author of the memoir "Chasing Montana." Her writing has appeared in newspapers, magazines and journals from "The New York Times" and the "Boston Globe" to "Montana Magazine," "Women's World" and the "American Journal of Nursing." WHEN: October 23, 7-9 pm WHERE: KGB Bar, 85 East 4th Street, NYC 10003 MORE INFO: www.kgbbar.com

STEP RIGHT UP...

It's the first-ever Creative Nonfiction MFA Program-Off! Submission Guidelines: -- All submissions must be 3,000 words or less. -- No excerpts will be accepted. Submissions must be a single and complete piece. -- Submissions must be written by a student who is currently enrolled in an MFA program of any format, be it full-time or low-residency. -- We will only consider one submission per person. -- All submissions must be previously un-published material. -- The deadline for submissions is November 1. Students should send submissions, along with a cover letter that includes their name, university, and contact information to: W.W. Norton & Company, Attn: Vanessa Hope Schneider, Creative Nonfiction MFA Program-Off, 500 Fifth Ave., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10110 CNF Editor Lee Gutkind will select the winning piece, which will be published in "The Best Creative Nonfiction, Vol. 3." The winner will be announced at a reading on Thursday, January 31 at the Ding Dong Lounge in New York City, in conjunction with Book Culture (formerly Labyrinth Books).

LEE GUTKIND: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE 

He's editor, founder, author, professor AND op-ed writer! Lee explores where humans leave off and robots begin in his thought provoking Washington Post piece from September 23, "A Robot Didn't Write This." Find out about a few of the latest technological advances in robotics and why humans are indispensable by clicking on this link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/21/AR2007092101540.html

SCIENCE + BEER = SMART FUN

Join Lee at the Penn Brewery Monday, October 8 at 7 pm for a Cafe Scientifique meeting. Organizers say, "The Café is a place where anyone interested in science can get together in an informal setting to discuss major science issues with the help of an expert in the field. It is free and open to the public. Best of all, it is not a lecture! After a brief introduction by our guest speaker (in plain, jargon-free English), the evening is dedicated to informal discussion, eating, and drinking. We'll all learn a lot while enjoying the company of accomplished scientists and other people who are interested in science." Lee will be talking about his latest book "Almost Human: Making Robots Think," and copies will be available for sale and signing. For more information visit: www.cafescipgh.org.

DON'T ASK HER SIGN. IT'S SAGITTARIUS.

CNF's own Managing Editor Hattie Fletcher is taking part in Philadelphia Stories' Push to Publish, which is highlighting strategies and techniques to get both aspiring and established writers' work in print and online. It's happening October 13, and Hattie will be in the line-up for the "speed dating" session, where writers can spend 10 minutes with the editor (or editors) of their choice to get personalized critiques of their work. Be sure to sign up with Hattie before her dance card is full. She'll also be on a panel called "The Naked Truth: Creative Nonfiction." For more information visit:

www.philadelphiastories.org/marketing/20071013.php

BLOGGING DOWN SOUTH

Check out this informative, fun blog by Five R's Institute participant Susan Cushman --wwwpenandpalette-susancushman.blogspot.com. And remember, if the experience sounds great on Susan's blog, come join us when Creative Nonfiction goes back to Oxford, Mississippi for the Mid-South Creative Nonfiction Conference from February 27--March 2. More information coming soon!

ADVERTISEMENT: FRONT PORCH

Front Porch, the online literary journal of Texas State University's MFA program, is now accepting non-fiction, fiction and poetry submissions. We have published the work of established writers such as Charles D'Ambrosio, Roddy Doyle, and Heather McHugh as well as many new up and coming voices. We encourage those interested to submit their work via our new online submission system at:

www.frontporchjournal.com