ThePublishingSpot - Masters of Fine Arts

Mar30

Creative Writing MFA: Masters or Margaritas?

March 30, 2006

Know More: Link Digests, Writing Resources

In a happy turn of events, Tom Kealey will soon be featured in my interview extravaganza, Five Easy Questions. Kealey wrote the book on creative writing Masters program applications, and I'm looking forward to his advice for us fledgling writers.

In preparation for Kealey's visit, it's time to start reading up about MFA programs around the country. Visit MFA Acceptances, Financial Aid Offers, a bustling web community monitoring how different universities process MFA applications.

Then check out this LiveJournal Creative Writing MFA thread, an even bigger web conversation with lots and lots of links to poets, novelists, and non-fiction writers--a great way to connect with more writers around the country.

After all that obsessive and competitive thinking, chill out over at 826 Valencia, the Dave Eggers-inspired writing tutor non-profit. They hook up struggling kids and teenagers with world-class writing teachers like Kealey...

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Oct16

CBGB Is Dead, Long Live CBGB

Jason Boog

October 16, 2006

Know More: Web Journalism, Writing Resources

As long as we're talking about the rough and tumble New York City art scene in the East Village, we should all remember the unhappy passing of the great music joint CBGB--the thirty-year old club closed last night.

In the meantime, read Paul Collins' hilarious story about his one gig at CBGB. You will laugh, and then cry for the thousands and thousands of fledgling artists who won't experience that legendary club.

Check it out:

"Like most rock musicians, I gave up being a rock musician years ago. A couple of months after my first kid was born, I looked out over a club drum riser in San Francisco and asked—What am I doing here?—came home, tossed my kit into the basement nook next to the water heater, and never rode shotgun in an Econoline again."

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Imaginary Reporters: The Completely Foreign Correspondent

Jason Boog

October 16, 2006

Know More: Online Publishing, Web Journalism, Writing Resources

People are blowing thousands of dollars, having sex, arguing politics, and building fantastical new communities in virtual, interactive videogame worlds like World of Warcraft or Second Life.

Now, they've earned a completely foreign correspondent.

Via Sam Davidson, I just found this great article about one crazy future for journalists. The BBC reports that Reuters will be opening a new news bureau inside the virtual world of Second Life.

Earlier this year I reported from inside Second Life, and I'm looking forward to the new kinds of writing this new genre will produce.

Check it out:

"Reuters media correspondent Adam Pasick who will report on the lives and business dealings of Second Life's residents.

An avatar resembling Mr Pasick, called Adam Reuters in the game, has been created to act as a virtual reporter in the world for the news agency.

Second Life has almost one million members and 400,000 of those are regular visitors to the online world."

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