Write about Young Adult Literature for About.com

About.com is seeking contributing writers to write articles on a variety of topics. There are several topics to choose from, but one in particular stood out to me as something I know that several of the visitors to this blog are qualified to take on: Young Adult Literature.

Among other things, the ideal candidate for this topic "will be familiar with major authors and publishers of young adult books and will have knowledge of adolescent development through education or experience. While not required, a background as a children’s librarian, middle or high school teacher, and/or a journalist who specializes in writing about teens is preferred.

"The candidate will be able to write content that helps users select appropriate young adult books for their needs. He or she will also be able to educate users on strategies for encouraging reluctant readers to read and criteria for selecting books."

Contributing writers are guaranteed $500 per month for their first year writing for the site. There is also the potential to earn more so long as the site grows from month to month.

If interested in writing about Young Adult Literature or another About.com topic, continue reading here.

Lying versus Fiction and Make-Believe

There is an on-going discussion among many Muslims regarding whether fiction is okay to read and write, whether fiction is considered lying, and whether we should expose our children to it.

Here is another fatwa from IslamToday.com indicating that fiction is not a form of lying as many believe:

Question: Every day when my school-age sisters speak together about what happened to them in school that day, their little brother always comes over and contributes to the conversation. His is not even in preschool yet, but he tells all kinds of tales about what happened that day at his sisters' school. These tales are fantastic and have no truth in them whatsoever. What should I do about my little brother's habit of telling lies?

Read the answer by Sheikh Nidâl Muhammad al-Qusayyir.

Notice the last line, where he says:

Who knows, your little bother might grow up to be a great writer!

Call for Submissions: Arab Film Festival

Minza is an organization dedicated to promoting Arab culture and, according to its website, publishes the only journal of Arab American literature in the United States. They are also responsible for running an annual Arab film festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota, now in its fifth year.

Currently, Minza is seeking submissions for its Arab Film Festival, scheduled for October, 2008. Themes include:

The Arab world
The Islamic world
The Arab/Muslim immigrant experience in the West

Arab and Muslim filmmakers are especially encouraged to submit their work.

Deadline is June 30, 2008.

Click here for more details.

The International League of Islamic Literature

If you are interested in Islamic literature, you may wish to learn more about the International League of Islamic Literature.

The objectives of this organization are:

1. Enhancement and highlighting old and present features of Islamic literature,

2. Establishment of the rules of Islamic literary criticism,

3. Formulation of a complete theory of Islamic literature,

4. Development of Islamic methodologies for modern literary arts,

5. Re-writing the history of Islamic literature pertaining to Muslim people literatures,

6. Collection of distinguished Islamic literary works and translating them into the languages of Muslim people and other international languages,

7. Giving due care to children literature,

8. Criticizing and shedding light on the negative aspects of deviating literary schools,

9. Reinforcement of the international aspect of Islamic literature,

10. Fostering relations and cooperation among Muslim men of letters and combining their efforts in accordance with a wise and moderate methodology,

11. Contributing in the upbringing of Muslim generations and formulating the Muslim personality dignified with their straightforward religion and great heritage,

12. Facilitating means of publication for the members of the League,

13. Defending the literary rights of the League and its members.

From the website: "Faith is the essential link among all members of the League fostered by literary relationships. It is considered a special link that keeps Muslim men of letters tied to one another and presents unity of principles and objectives they are committed to."