Deadline Extended!

Remember the two writing competitions at the IWA I told you about last month? Originally, the deadline for submissions was supposed to be November 8, 2011, but it has now been extended to November 18, 2011.

Post-9/11 British and American Literature: Ten Years Later

Kristine Miller, an English professor at Utah State University, is compiling a series of essays centered on the theme of "post-9/11 British and American literature" for publication in a book.

Potential topics include:

• The work of a particular British or American writer 
• Comparative studies around a particular post-9/11 theme
• Representations of other conflicts (WWII, for example)
• Literature by or about British or American Muslims
• Representations of the media
• Women responding to 9/11
• Representations of public rhetoric and/or private trauma
• The 9/11 Commission Report as literary text
• Graphic novels or comics after 9/11
• Literary commemoration and memorialization 

If interested in submitting an essay, continue reading here.

Deadline for proposals: December 1, 2011
Deadline for submissions: June 1, 2012

Two Writing Competitions at the IWA

The Islamic Writers Alliance (IWA) is currently sponsoring two writing competitions:

Islamic Fiction Stories Contest

• Contest Theme: The writer may choose the topic/genre/theme as long as the story is Islamic fiction.
• Maximum word count: 2,500 words
• Submissions: October 15, 2011 through November 8, 2011

Essay Writing Contest 
(co-sponsored with the Zakat Foundation of America)

• Contest Theme: A Muslim’s Responsibility to Neighbors and Community
• Maximum word count: 1,200 words
• Submissions: October 15, 2011 through November 8, 2011

For each competition, there are three categories in which one can participate:

• IWA Member
• Adult Muslim (general public)
• Young Adult Muslim (ages 13-17)

The first-place winner in each category will receive $50 and a copy of the soon-to-be-published IWA cookbook, Serving Up Faith.

Contribute to an Anthology of Writing by Young Arab Americans

Professor Pauline Kaldas of Hollins University is in the process of putting together an anthology of writing by young Arab Americans (up to age 18). 

According to this announcement:

Poetry, personal essays, and creative nonfiction will be considered for publication.  The focus of the anthology will be on issues relating to Arab American identity and the experience of young Arab Americans in the United States.

Deadline for submissions: December 1, 2010

If interested in contributing to this anthology, continue reading here.

Spiritual Non-Fiction

This Craigslist Ad states a need for "original, exciting POETRY and PROSE in two catagories: a) the lives and b) the teachings of the likes of: Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Ganesha, Kali, Nanak, etc. (open to suggestions on any great spiritual teacher/guru)."

This opportunity is open to students in certain types of MA or PhD programs (not sure if this is an absolute requirement) and offers both financial compensation ($25-$200) and a by-line.

Continue reading here.

Journalism Scholarships Available for Muslim Students

The TMO Foundation is pleased to announce five scholarships to students in journalism and communications.

The first prize carries $1500, the second $1,000 and the third $750. Additionally, two more scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to students in need of financial subsidy to pursue education.

Students can choose any of the following essay topics:

1) Why do I want to be a journalist?

2) What does it mean to be a Muslim journalist?

3) What are some of the most serious issues that the Muslim American community faces in the USA?

4) What is the most effective way to counter “Islamophobia”?

5) How should Muslim American youth be involved in debates about policy?

6) How should Muslim Americans relate with the rest of the Muslim world?

7) How can Muslim Americans become an effective and dynamic part of the American pluralism?

Deadline: March 15, 2010

Click here for more information about the scholarships.

Contest Sponsored by Azizah Magazine

Azizah Magazine is sponsoring a writing competition having the theme:

My Role Model: Muslim Women in Modern Times who Inspire

Entrants must be high school or college students attending school in the United States.

First Prize is $1000 plus publication in the magazine.

Click here for additional information and guidelines.

Parent-Teen Stories

The Parent-Teen Series is a series of books containing "a collaboration of short stories written by teens and parents that have experienced troublesome teen years in areas such as substance abuse, teen pregnancies, eating disorders, cutting, 'attempted' suicides, dropping out of school, being homeless and much more."

There are many topics for writers to choose from, and it seems like it might be a good opportunity for Muslim writers to share stories of their difficulties and how Islam helped them cope or solve a problem.

According to the site:

"The hope is for the READER to find that one story he/she can relate to and begin feeling less alone in their struggles. Sometimes that is all it takes, someone else's story, to begin a search for a new path towards a healthier, happy life. "

If interested, check out the Guidelines for Submission.

Compensation: $20.00 IF STORY IS ACCEPTED FOR PRINT. You will also receive a FREE BOOK upon publication.

Hijab Essay Competition

Muslimbase.com holds a monthly writing competition that gives the winner £20.00 worth of hijabs.

There are pros and cons to the terms being offered by this company. On the one hand, the company wants all rights to all the entries received, whether you win the competition or not. On the other hand...

"Those who do not win in the month in which they sent their article will have their essays forwarded to the next months competition automatically. This way everyone will eventually win some hijabs."

Latino Muslims Anthology

The Victoria Press invites essays on the subject of Latino Muslims in the United States and abroad for inclusion in an anthology scheduled for release in the summer of 2009.

Essays may address a variety of issues, including cultural encounters/conflicts, religious transformations, taking of ethnic Muslim names and myriad related issues. Essays should be scholarly in nature and authors should hold a current professorial post in a related area of study; retired professors are also invited to submit esssays.

From the guidelines for submission: Exceptionally distinguished and important works submitted by authors who do not meet these expectations may, in select cases, be given equal consideration.

Read more here.