My Mind Words Paper [Search results for LIVE

  • Job Opening: Online Sub-Editor - Sport for Times Live (Avusa, South Africa)

    Deadline: 31 July 2011

    Vacancy: Times Live online sub-editor (Sport)

    Division: Avusa Media LIVE

    Purpose: To select, create, process and package news content for Times LIVE sports pages and sections Reports to Sports Editor.

    Key Responsibilities

    * Selecting and sourcing relevant sport content for Times LIVE
    * Creating original, journalistically-sound sport content for the website
    * Speedy processing and packaging of a range of incoming sport content to the website
    * Ensuring accuracy, quality, SEO and user appeal of content published to the website
    * Contributing creatively to the development and growth of the website and its engagement and interactions with users

    Requirements

    * A journalism tertiary qualification would be preferred
    * A minimum of three years experience in reporting, writing or editing sports news
    * Wide-ranging knowledge of South African and international sports
    * Good computer skills and daily engagement with digital media including social media
    * Strong English language writing and editing skills
    * Team player and good communicator
    * Ability to produce accurate work quickly,and to work under consistent pressure
    * Attention to detail
    * Willingness to work flexible hours and weekend shifts
    * Willingness to engage in continuous learning and acquire new digital and journalistic skills

    E-mail your applications with CV to mangopeo@avusa.co.za

    Closing date for applications: 31 July 2011.

    Avusa Media LIVE is an Affirmative Action employer, and as such, preference will be given to candidates who will add to the diversity of our organisation.

    The ideal candidate will have the following competencies:

    Ability

    * Good computer skills and daily engagement with digital media including social media
    * Wide-ranging knowledge of South African and International sports.
    * Strong english language writing and edting skills
    * Ability to produce accurate work quickly, and to work under consistant pressure
    * Attention to detail
    * Team player and good communicator
    * Willingness to engage in continous learning and acquire new digital and journalistic skills
    * Willingness to work flexible hours and weekend shifts

    Experience

    * a minimum of three years experience in reporting, writing or editing sports news
    * A journalism tertiary qualification would be preferred

    Avusa Limited was officially unveiled on the 20th November 2007 as the new name for what was Johnnic Communications Limited (Johncom). The company has evolved and grown remarkably over the years, to become one of the preeminent media and entertainment organisations in South Africa and the continent.

    Contact Information:

    For inquiries: mangopeo@avusa.co.za

    For submissions: mangopeo@avusa.co.za

    Website: http://www.avusa.co.za

  • Celebrating Womanhood Festival and Festival Italiano (Uganda)

    Date: 6 - 10 March 2012

    The Italian Cooperation and Native Travel Festival present 5 days of FREE events at National Theater

    Daily activities include live performances, outdoor film projections, discussions and debates, poetry sessions with Femrite, and photos exhibitions.

    TUESDAY 6TH MARCH: KARAMOJA: GENDER, CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT WOMEN

    4.00 p.m. - Traditional Dances from Karamoja Region with Ksda

    Open Debate on women and culture with David Pulkol.

    7.30 p.m. Documentary: We died a long time ago - Chris Dolan, 2009 - Changing the Lens" through which we view Karamoja region.

    Live performance with Percussion Discussion Africa.

    9.00 p.m. Documentary: Ekisil (Peace) - Giovanni Dall'Oglio and Salvatore Braca, 2004

    WEDNESDAY 7TH MARCH: STOPPING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

    2.30 p.m. Open debate about domestic violence with FIDA, Police Family Protection Unit, MIFUMI

    Live Music with Tshila and Bonfire Uganda

    7.00 p.m. Movie: Sisters in law - Florence Ayisi and Kim Longinotto, 2005 – In India Sampat Pal founded the Pink gang, or the Gulabi Gang. Today thousand of women now fight together for the basic human rights of women in rural India.

    8.45 p.m. Movie: Pink Gang - Enrico Bisi, 2010

    10.00 p.m. Movie: Moolaadè - Ousmane Sembene, 2004 - When a woman shelters a group of girls from suffering female circumcision, she starts a conflict that tears her village apart in Burkina Faso.

    THURSDAY 8TH MARCH: CELEBRATING MILESTONES FOR WOMEN’S EMANCIPATION

    4.00 p.m. Live music with Jamal, Irene Ntale and Jackie Akello

    UNHC’S Meddie Kagwa on women’s rights Milestones

    7.00 p.m. Italian Development Cooperation Health Program: Mobiles Clinics in Karamoja

    Documentary: Breaking the silent suffering - presented by UNFPA. A Documentary on Obstetric Fistula in Uganda.

    8.30 p.m. Documentary: Death Road - Sarah Nsigaye, 2012

    9.30 p.m. Movie: We want sex (Made in Dagenham) - Nigel Cole, 2010 - A dramatization of the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant, where female workers walked out in protest against sexual discrimination.

    FRIDAY 9TH MARCH: ITALIAN SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL COOPERATION IN UGANDA

    2.30 p.m. Research experiences within a framework of collaboration Italy- Uganda with:
    Makerere University, Gulu-Nap, Italian Ethnological Mission, National Museum

    Live Music with Suzan Kerune

    8.00 p.m. Documentary: Kampala Babel - Cecilia Pennacini, 2008. Ugandan writer Moses Isegawa takes us on a personal tour of the secret pockets of alternate religious faith found throughout Kampala and environs.

    9.15 p.m. Movie: Galileo, Joseph Losey, 1975. Film version of the Bertolt Brecht play The Life of Galileo.

    SATURDAY 10TH MARCH: ITALIAN CULTURE DAY

    4.00 p.m. Live Music with Rachel Magoola, Stella and Giacinta

    Italian Business expositions and networking

    7.30 p.m. Movie: La vita è bella (Life is Beatiful)- Roberto Benigni, 1997. A Jewish man has a wonderful romance with the help of his humour, but must use that same quality to protect his son in a Nazi death camp.

    9.15 p.m. Movie: La vita facile - Lucio Pellegrini, 2011. A successful physician goes to Africa to assist temporarily with his former fellow student Luke, volunteer in Africa.

  • Short Story Day Africa YA Short Story Competition for Ages 17 and Below (Africa-wide)

    Deadline: 30 June 2012

    This year, as part of Short Story Day, we will be running two competitions for African writers who can’t legally drive or vote. If you live in Africa, can hold a pen or type, and are under eighteen, this means YOU! Prizes are sponsored by Books Live, S.A. Partridge and Lauri Kubuitsile.

    YA SHORT STORY COMPETITION FOR AGES 12-17

    WHAT? Write a short story (500 words max!) about being Young in the City. The city can be anywhere in Africa, or make one up! Fiction is your tool!

    The Judge: S.A. Partridge, South Africa’s award wining YA writer.

    The Prizes: S.A. Partridge will be giving away a signed copy of each of her novels. Other prizes include R500 voucher from Exclusive Books, sponsored by Books Live. Winning entries will be published amongst some of Africa’s most talent writers.

    UNDER 12’S SHORT STORY COMPETITION FOR AGES 11 AND BELOW

    WHAT? Write a story (no longer than 1 A4 page!) with an inanimate object as the main character: a rock, a toothbrush, your granny’s handbag. Give your character a voice, and tell us their story. “Yuck, she’s been eating garlic again!”

    The Judge: Lauri Kubuitsile, Botswana’s award winning YA and children’s writer.

    The Prizes: A R250 voucher from Exclusive Books, sponsored by Books Live, and one of Lauri’s books. Winning entries may be published.

    COMPETITION GUIDELINES:

    1. Entrants must be living in South Africa and meet age requirements state above.

    2. Email your entry to kids@shortstorydayafrica.org with the subject line YA Competition / UNDER 12’S OR post it to SSDA Head Quarters, YA Competition, 12 Bristol Road, South Africa, 7925. Include your name, age, telephone number, an email address (if you have) and postal
    address in your entry.

    3. Deadline: 30 June 2012. Postal entries postmarked by 30 June 2012 are eligible.

    4. Stories must be your own original work, and meet the length requirements.

    5. By submitting a story the young authors grant non-exclusive print and digital rights to Short Story Day Africa and Books Live.

    6. Winners will be notified by 31 July 2012, though should we be flooded by stories, we reserve the right to delay the announcements.

    7. We will not share information or use it for any other purpose than to inform you should you win.

    CONTACT INFORMATION:

    For queries/ submissions: kids@shortstorydayafrica.org

    Website: http://shortstorydayafrica.org

  • Live Right Essay Competition for Senior Secondary School Students in Lagos

    Deadline: 23 March 2012

    Are you a Senior Secondary School Student in Lagos? You can win a Laptop or other fabulous prizes in the Project- Live Right Essay Competition.

    Live Right is an anti-corruption project which focuses on inter-generational approach to solving corruption with a view to strengthening the fight against corruption in Nigeria through the engagement of young people.

    Essay Topic: My dream of a corrupt free Nigeria.

    Interested students are invited to submit electronically a maximum of 750 words essay on the project website (www.projectliveright.com) or send Name, Age, School, passport photograph, Date of Birth, telephone/email with the essay to the email: essay@projectliveright.com

    Entry Period: Thursday 23rd February 2012 and Friday 23rd March 2012.

    The overall Winner of the Contest will receive a Laptop and other consolation prizes would be made available for the runner-ups.

    Prize Presentation will take place at the Grand finale/Live Right Youth Forum scheduled to hold on the 5th of April 2012 at the British Council Ikoyi Lagos.

    Due to anticipated volume of submission, only selected winners will be contacted.

    CONTACT INFORMATION:

    For inquiries: essay@projectliveright.com

    For submissions: essay@projectliveright.com

    Website: http://www.projectliveright.com/

  • Job Opening: Online Sub-Editor for Times Live (Avusa, South Africa)

    Deadline: 11 July 2011

    Purpose:

    To select, create, process and package news content for the Times LIVE website and social media.

    Key Responsibilities

    * Select and source relevant news content for Times LIVE
    * Create original, journalistically-sound news content for the website
    * Process and package news content to the website
    * Ensure accuracy, quality, SEO and user appeal of content published to the website
    * Contribute creatively to the development and growth of Times LIVE and add value to its interactions with users
    * Manage ad hoc TL editorial projects

    Requirements

    * A journalism tertiary qualification and/or a minimum of two years experience in reporting, writing or editing in an online, radio, or fast-breaking news environment
    * Strong English-language writing and editing skills
    * Knowledge of South African and international news and current affairs
    * Understanding of the digital environment and systems
    * Understanding of SEO principles, tagging, relationship building with social media
    * Team player and good communicator
    * Ability to produce accurate work quickly and work under consistent pressure
    * Attention to detail
    * Willingness to work flexible hours and weekend shifts
    * Willingness to engage in continuous learning and acquire new digital and journalistic skills

    Closing date for applications: 11 July 2011.

    The ideal candidate will have the following competencies:

    Ability

    * apply web programming languages and technologies
    * assist in coordinating web projects
    * design and implement user-friendly and creative web pages, forms and surveys

    Experience

    * managing and coordinating web projects
    * managing or supervising staff
    * project management methodologies

    Knowledge

    * editing in the internet environment
    * electronic communication techniques
    * electronic news reporting media channels
    * local and international news
    * photography
    * the journalism industry
    * various production channels (e.g. sub-editing and layout)
    * various publication channels

    Avusa Limited was officially unveiled on the 20th November 2007 as the new name for what was Johnnic Communications Limited (Johncom). The company has evolved and grown remarkably over the years, to become one of the preeminent media and entertainment organisations in South Africa and the continent.

    Contact Information:

    For submissions: apply here

    Website: http://www.avusa.co.za

  • Books LIVE / Short Story Day South Flash Fiction Competition (South Africa)

    Deadline: 21 June 2011

    R1000 and a professional critique are up for grabs. All you have to do is flash your shorts.

    Flash fiction is a style of fictional literature or fiction of extreme brevity. There is no widely accepted definition of the length of the category. Some self-described markets for flash fiction impose caps as low as three hundred words, while others consider stories as long as a thousand words to be flash fiction. (Wikipedia)

    We challenge you to write a story in one post on our Facebook wall. Being constrained to 420 characters, including spaces, will spark your creativity and force you to focus on word choice, sentence structure and even punctuation. It can be done.

    Liesl Jobson, SA’s Queen of Flash, will judge the competition and give the professional critique.

    Genre: Any

    Word count: 420 characters or less

    Prize: R1000 cash sponsored by Books LIVE and a professional critique by Liesl Jobson (on a story of no more than 1000-words).

    Flash Fiction Competition Rules

    1. Entrants must Like Short Story Day South and Books LIVE on Facebook.
    2. 420 characters (not words) including spaces or less. Stories must be confined to a single post and not continued in the comments boxes below.
    3. Submissions are open now until 21 June 2011
    4. All entries must be posted on Short Story Day South’s Facebook wall and sent to shortstorydaysouth@gmail.com
    5. Submissions must be in English
    6. You must retain the rights to your story to submit it.
    7. By submitting a story the author attests that it is their own original work and grants non-exclusive print and digital rights to Short Story Day South and Books LIVE

    Contact Information:

    For inquiries: shortstorydaysouth@gmail.com

    For submissions: shortstorydaysouth@gmail.com

    Website: http://www.shortstorydaysouth.co.za

  • Job Opening: Broadcast Journalist for BBC Swahili Service (Kenya)

    The BBC Swahili Service is one of the largest language services in the BBC World Service. It produces very successful radio programmes and is now looking to move into TV. It also has a multiplatform website and video, interactive and audio content. Staff are located in London, Nairobi, Dar Es Salaam and in other countries in Africa.

    The service’s output aims to make international news relevant to an East African audience, and bring international perspectives to bear on East African developments. It aims to report in a lively and engaging fashion.

    ORGANISATION

    Working in a multimedia team of journalists and reporting to a line manager. On a daily basis, reporting to Senior Broadcast Journalist as appropriate. Shift work is required which will include nights, weekends and public holidays.

    JOB PURPOSE

    To originate, research, prepare, produce and present items, reports, packages, interviews, discussions, complete programmes, background pieces, analysis and news features. To report in audio, text and video from the field in a range of formats. To ensure that any output material for which the post holder is responsible meets the standards required by the BBC.

    LOCATION: Nairobi

    MAIN DUTIES

    1. To research, report, write, translate, edit and adapt stories or programme material; to find contributors and interviewees as well as other sources of material and/or actuality, as appropriate and to the required specification whilst maintaining professional journalistic standards of accuracy, impartiality and fair dealing and adhering to the BBC Editorial Guidelines. To ensure the availability of required production facilities.

    2. To write and create original material for all multimedia output, including text stories, radio bulletins, mobile phone bulletins and with appropriate training video reports.

    3. To create, produce and maintain Swahili Service online and multimedia content including making output interactive.

    4. To be responsible for a moving story, amending and updating material as required. To be able to freshen a story. To be responsible for thinking through and around editorial problems, developing realistic alternative strategies and approaches.

    5. To offer ideas for items, programmes/series and to actively contribute to the editorial planning process. To suggest new angles on existing stories, means of moving the story on, and to put forward stories not yet covered. To understand the Service’s strategy and to suggest ideas appropriate to its distinctive style and content.

    6. To perform live on audio or video with or without a script, live or in recording sessions; either as programme producer, or as a participant in others' productions.

    7. To conduct interviews either in the studio or on location, live or pre-recorded.

    8. To liaise closely with other team members and with contributors, reporters and stringers. To advise other parts of the BBC on target area affairs.

    9. To ensure that BBC Editorial Guidelines and all relevant legal, contractual and copyright requirements are met, referring upwards in cases of difficulty or doubt.

    10. To build and maintain links with other areas of the BBC including BBC Online, BBC News to enable the efficient production of content.

    11. To offer ideas for items, programmes/series and to actively contribute to the editorial planning process. To suggest new angles on existing stories, means of moving the story on, and to put forward stories not yet covered. To understand the Service’s strategy and to suggest ideas appropriate to its distinctive style and content.

    12. After appropriate training, to be able to use a range of audio & digital equipment and information technology to research, write, assemble, edit and deliver programmes in the appropriate medium, to the highest professional standards.

    13. To be responsible for efficient use of allocated resources.

    14. All producers may be required to travel off base on short reporting trips and assignments and to spend longer periods of time in the target area.

    15. All producers may be required to work with or move to other programme teams on a multi-media basis and to have the ability to work across a range of skills and in a flexible manner, and to carry out these responsibilities in accordance with the BBC’s overall standards and values. To provide advice or file pieces, etc, on occasions to other BBC outlets.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    • An outstanding command and up to date knowledge of Swahili as first (or equivalent) language.

    • An excellent knowledge of English including complete comprehension of written and spoken English and the ability to communicate effectively.

    • Substantial recent and relevant full-time experience as a journalist, both in originating material and editing the work of others.

    • Ability to write, adapt and translate with accuracy, clarity and style appropriate to differing audiences and forms of media.

    • A good broadcasting voice and the ability to acquire the appropriate presentation style of the network.

    • Experience of reporting, in the field, on international and/or Swahili-speaking political and economics issues. Able to demonstrate a good range of contacts for interview purposes including political and economic analysts, politicians, etc.

    • Good keyboard/computer skills and the ability to acquire technical skills and to operate technical equipment. Practical experience and extensive knowledge of the internet and an understanding of the potential of new technology is essential.

    • Wide and up to date familiarity with the target area and an in-depth understanding of its history, politics, social issues and culture as well as the changing needs of the audience.

    • A thorough knowledge and understanding of news and current affairs and the media situation in the target area. A good knowledge of, and interest in international current affairs, particularly insofar as they affect the target area/s.

    COMPETENCIES
    The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.

    • Editorial Judgement - demonstrates balanced and objective judgement based on a thorough understanding of BBC editorial guidelines, target audience, programme and department objectives. Makes the right editorial decisions, taking account of conflicting views where necessary.

    • Commitment to the BBC and the BBC Swahili Service strategy – demonstrates an interest and willingness to help the BBC achieve its objectives in the target area.

    • Creative Thinking - able to transform creative ideas into practical reality. Can look at existing situations and problems in novel ways and come up with creative solutions.

    • Planning and organisation - able to think ahead in order to establish and efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources.

    • Communication - able to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.

    • Influencing and persuading - able to present sound and well reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.

    • Managing relationships and team working - able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.

    • Resilience - manages personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of pressure, set backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Demonstrates an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.

    • Flexibility - adapts and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups. Able to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change, and to change or easily accept changes in one’s own organisation or job requirements.

    CONTACT INFORMATION:

    For submissions: apply here

    Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/swahili/

  • R10,000 Pan Macmillan Citizen Book Prize 2011 for Unpublished Fiction/ Non-Fiction Manuscript (South Africa)

    Deadline: 30 June 2011

    It’s time for the annual Citizen Book Prize! Read about how to enter this year’s competition here:

    The Citizen newspaper is offering you the chance to submit a work of carefully crafted fiction or non-fiction, to be submitted and typed electronically (no handwritten manuscripts will be accepted), by 30 June 2011.

    What to submit

    * A synopsis of your work of no more than 500 words. The public will vote for a shortlist of synopses, which will cut from an initial longlist. Shortlisted synopses will be published in CitiVibe and here on the Pan Macmillan blog at Books LIVE. Synopses will thus be crucial to proceeding in this competition: make sure yours is snazzy and tight!

    * Three selected chapters of your masterpiece. These may be in chronological order, or selected, jumbled chapters. Note that synopses submissions will not be valid unless they are accompanied by three selected chapters.

    * A simple covering letter. A brief letter/email should accompany your submission. Please keep this concise, with a few brief lines, a paragraph at most motivating your submission and including your contact details.

    Please note that poorly presented entries are difficult to process, so adhere closely to the above guidelines. Your entry will be disregarded if it doesn’t make sense.

    Voting

    A long list of 20 sumbissions will be drawn up by a panel of judges from CitiVibe and Macmillan South Africa. The 500-word synopses of each of these submissions will then be published in CitiVibe and on Books LIVE, with a reader’s poll on Books LIVE to determine the top ten books from the long list. The shortlist will then be re-submitted to the judges, who will then decide on the winning title.

    How to submit

    By email to: bookprize@citizen.co.za

    Hard copies should be posted to: The Citizen Book Prize, Publishing Department, Pan Macmillan, Private Bag X19, Northlands, 2116. No hard copues delivered to Pan Macmillan’s offices will be accepted.

    Deadline

    Submissoins will be accepted until June 30. Authors may submit as many manuscripts as they like.

    Prize

    The winner of the 2011 Citizen Book Prize will receive R10 000 in cash from The Citizen, as well as ongoing publicity in CitiVibe: interviews, reviews, updates, etc. In addition, the winner will have the manuscript published and marketed by Macmillan, provided it is up to the standard demanded by the publisher. Please note: winning does no guarantee publication. If Macmillan makes the decision not to publish the winning manuscript, they will undertake to sponsor a writing course worth R5 000 for the author concerned.

    Contact Information:

    For inquiries: bookprize@citizen.co.za

    For submissions: bookprize@citizen.co.za

    Website: http://panmacmillan.book.co.za

  • Deadline May 21 | Free to Enter - Mini Operas Scriptwriting Competition (Judge: Neil Gaiman): ENO's Worldwide Search for New Creative Talent

    Deadline: 21 May 2012

    Welcome to Mini Operas, ENO’s global search for new creative talent. We’re after the most creative, innovative and interesting writers, music makers and film makers out there, whatever your level of experience or knowledge.

    THE SCRIPT COMPETITION

    Writing for opera doesn’t have to be scary. That’s why we’re swinging the Coliseum doors open and handing the chief job over to you – yes, you!

    To ignite your imagination we’ve enticed three of the most inspiring writers to provide Mini Operas’ seed stories: Will Self, A.L. Kennedy and Neil Gaiman.

    Neil Gaiman’s Story- The Sweeper of Dreams

    A.L. Kennedy’s Story – On Paper

    Will Self’s Story – The Death of a Government Inspector

    Here’s what we want you to do. Read the three seed stories and pick the one that interests you most. Then write a script for a 5-7 minute opera based on that story. When it comes to inspiration, anything goes: a single word, title, a mood or even a character name.

    In May we’ll pick 10 scripts to go through to the next round. Those scripts will become the seeds that we will ask people to compose a soundtrack for in the next competition. Remember that your writing will be set to music by someone else and that words can take a lot longer to sing than to read, so less is definitely more.

    At the end of the Mini Operas competition we’ll choose three lucky people to participate in a new mentoring scheme with Jeremy Sams, Nico Muhly or Leo Warner.

    But for now, just get writing. You’ve got until 21 May to write your own script and enter it via our online form.

    If you’re stuck on how to approach them, don’t panic. Our resident author Tamsin Collison has written us an example for each story. You might choose to do something completely different – it’s up to you. We’ll be adding more expert help to the site so come back soon for further inspiration.

    WHAT IS MINI OPERAS?

    Mini Operas is a three-part competition from ENO that aims to find new creative talent for opera. We’re out to find creative and innovative writers, composers and filmmakers.

    WHO CAN ENTER?

    Absolutely everyone. As long as you have a story to tell – whether that’s in words, music or pictures – we want to hear from you, whatever your age, whatever previous experience you have and wherever you live in the world.

    You can enter as an individual or as a group; we just ask that you seek a parent or guardian’s permission to sign up if you’re under 16.

    BUT I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT OPERA. WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN?

    Part of our aim in creating Mini Operas is to question and perhaps even redefine what “opera” can be. That’s why we’re not putting any restrictions on what you create and send in to us. We’ll be posting examples of how you could approach each competition along with lots of expert advice, but anything goes. So as long as your piece is your own original work created specifically for Mini Operas and hasn’t already been published elsewhere, we want to see and/or hear it.

    WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

    Like we said, we want to identify new creative talent and shine a light on it wherever it might be. People around the world will see your work including our judges and mentors, who include visionaries such as Terry Gilliam, Nico Muhly, Jeremy Sams and many others.

    IS THERE A PRIZE?

    In addition to being a major platform to getting your work seen, at the end of Mini Operas we will select three entrants who we think have special talent and could benefit with close personal help from some of the industry’s best people. Jeremy Sams, Nico Muhly and Leo Warner have each kindly agreed to mentor one of our three winners for an academic year. You’ll get to discuss and develop your work with one of the most exciting people in your field.

    OK, ALL CLEAR SO FAR, BUT HOW WILL THE WHOLE THING WORK?

    Here’s Mini Operas in a nutshell:

    We have three excellent writers who’ve each kindly given us a story that will serve as the seeds for the whole run of Mini Operas. We want you to read their stories and choose one you want to base your own script on. Then write a script for a 5-7 minute opera and enter it into the competition.

    We’ll choose 10 winners whose scripts will go through to the composing competition, where we’ll ask all you music-makers out there to write and record a soundtrack for the script of your choice. What you compose is up to you – it might be anything from a piece for orchestra to the sound of traffic outside your window, or anywhere in between. Just make sure it’s your best effort at setting the words to music as you think best fit.

    Round three works the same way: 10 winning soundtracks will go through and then we’ll ask filmmakers to visualise the soundtrack and script in some way. Again, it might be live action, animation or something else – it’s up to you.

    We’ll come out the other end with 10 film winners.

    CAN I SUBMIT MY PIECE IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH?

    No. All work must be in English.

    WHEN EXACTLY DOES MINI OPERAS OPEN AND CLOSE?

    Mini Operas is made up of three linked competitions so there are six dates to keep in mind:

    The scriptwriting competition comes first. It opens on 26 March 2012 and closes to entries on 21 May 2012. Soundtracks are next – that competition opens on 4 June 2012 and closes 23 July 2012. Finally, the filmmaking competition is open from 6 August 2012 to 24 September 2012.

    WHEN WILL THE WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED?

    Our scriptwriting winners will be announced here on 4 June 2012. Winners in the music making competition will be revealed on 6 August 2012. And the lucky 10 filmmakers who make it through will be named on 8 October 2012. Winners of our mentorships will be announced in October 2012 (date tbc).

    IS THERE A WORD LIMIT FOR THE SCRIPT WRITING COMPETITION?

    No. We want you to write a script for a short opera around 5-7 minutes in length. Now that’s slightly difficult to quantify, but if you have a look at the examples we’ve made, you’ll get an idea of what we’re looking for. Bear in mind that they’re only examples and you might choose to write something much shorter. Be sure to give the composer who comes after you enough to work with but generally speaking, less usually really is a bit more.

    IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY PIECES I CAN ENTER?

    No, you can enter as many scripts, soundtracks or films as you like.

    I’M FINISHED! HOW DO I SUBMIT MY ENTRY?

    For the scriptwriting competition, we want you to post your finished script to your blog and then come back to the Mini Operas website to tell us who you are and where we can find your script. Don’t worry if you haven’t got a blog already – they’re easy and free to set up. You can use any blog you like, but www.wordpress.com, www.blogger.com and www.tumblr.com are ones we particularly like.

    THE SCRIPT JUDGES

    Neil Gaiman Author, Contributor, Judge, Script Judge

    Neil Gaiman is the bestselling author of the novels Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods, Anansi Boys and Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett); the Sandman series of graphic novels; and the short story collections Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things. He is also the author of books for readers of all ages including the Newbery Medal winning novel The Graveyard Book, in addition to the bestselling novels Coraline and Odd and the Frost Giants. He is the winner of numerous literary honors, including the Hugo, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy Awards.

    A.L. Kennedy Author, Contributor, Judge, Script Judge

    A.L. Kennedy is a writer of novels, short stories and non-fiction. An Associate Professor in Creative Writing at University of Warwick, her novels include Looking for the Possible Dance, So I Am Glad, Paradise and 2007’s Costa Book of the Year, Day. Kennedy has produced eight short story collections including Tea and Biscuits, Original Bliss and What Becomes, and three non-fiction publications: Life & Death of Colonel Blimp, On Bullfighting and Luwak Care and Breeding. In addition, her screenwriting credits Stella Does Tricks and Dice received critical acclaim, as did her selected radio plays, notably Confessions of a Medium which was broadcast as the Saturday Play on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

    Will Self Author, Contributor, Judge, Script Judge

    Journalist, critic and fiction writer, Will has penned both novels and short fiction including the critically acclaimed The Quantity Theory of Insanity which won the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize; How the Dead Live which was shortlisted for the Whitbread Book of the Year; and 2010’s Walking to Hollywood. During his career he has pursued a career as a cartoonist for the New Statesman and has even tried his hand at stand-up comedy. He has made many appearances on British television, notably as a panellist on Have I Got News For You and a regular on both Shooting Stars and Grumpy Old Men. Will was appointed Professor of Contemporary Thought at Brunel University in February 2012.

    SUBMITTING YOUR SCRIPT

    Excellent – you’ve written your script and you’re ready to send it in to us. Here’s what you need to do to submit it to the competition.

    First, post your script to your blog. If you haven’t got a blog, they’re quick, easy and free to set up. We particularly like WordPress, Tumblr and Blogger but you can use any one you like. Next, fill in the form below to tell us about yourself. Please be sure to use the same user name if you send in more than one piece.

    We’d also like you to write a very short description of your script – just a sentence or two that sums it up – and include that below. Finally, enter the web link direct to your script on your blog.

    Once we’ve received your script we’ll post it here on the Mini Operas site so be sure to check back and share your entry with your friends.

    The scriptwriting competition closes to entries at 17:00 GMT on 21 May 2012 and winners will be announced on 4 June 2012.

    CONTACT INFORMATION:

    For submissions: via the submission form here

    Website: http://www.minioperas.org

  • Free to Enter - Mini Operas Scriptwriting Competition (Judge: Neil Gaiman): ENO's Worldwide Search for New Creative Talent

    Deadline: 21 May 2012

    Welcome to Mini Operas, ENO’s global search for new creative talent. We’re after the most creative, innovative and interesting writers, music makers and film makers out there, whatever your level of experience or knowledge.

    THE SCRIPT COMPETITION

    Writing for opera doesn’t have to be scary. That’s why we’re swinging the Coliseum doors open and handing the chief job over to you – yes, you!

    To ignite your imagination we’ve enticed three of the most inspiring writers to provide Mini Operas’ seed stories: Will Self, A.L. Kennedy and Neil Gaiman.

    Neil Gaiman’s Story- The Sweeper of Dreams

    A.L. Kennedy’s Story – On Paper

    Will Self’s Story – The Death of a Government Inspector

    Here’s what we want you to do. Read the three seed stories and pick the one that interests you most. Then write a script for a 5-7 minute opera based on that story. When it comes to inspiration, anything goes: a single word, title, a mood or even a character name.

    In May we’ll pick 10 scripts to go through to the next round. Those scripts will become the seeds that we will ask people to compose a soundtrack for in the next competition. Remember that your writing will be set to music by someone else and that words can take a lot longer to sing than to read, so less is definitely more.

    At the end of the Mini Operas competition we’ll choose three lucky people to participate in a new mentoring scheme with Jeremy Sams, Nico Muhly or Leo Warner.

    But for now, just get writing. You’ve got until 21 May to write your own script and enter it via our online form.

    If you’re stuck on how to approach them, don’t panic. Our resident author Tamsin Collison has written us an example for each story. You might choose to do something completely different – it’s up to you. We’ll be adding more expert help to the site so come back soon for further inspiration.

    WHAT IS MINI OPERAS?

    Mini Operas is a three-part competition from ENO that aims to find new creative talent for opera. We’re out to find creative and innovative writers, composers and filmmakers.

    WHO CAN ENTER?

    Absolutely everyone. As long as you have a story to tell – whether that’s in words, music or pictures – we want to hear from you, whatever your age, whatever previous experience you have and wherever you live in the world.

    You can enter as an individual or as a group; we just ask that you seek a parent or guardian’s permission to sign up if you’re under 16.

    BUT I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT OPERA. WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN?

    Part of our aim in creating Mini Operas is to question and perhaps even redefine what “opera” can be. That’s why we’re not putting any restrictions on what you create and send in to us. We’ll be posting examples of how you could approach each competition along with lots of expert advice, but anything goes. So as long as your piece is your own original work created specifically for Mini Operas and hasn’t already been published elsewhere, we want to see and/or hear it.

    WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

    Like we said, we want to identify new creative talent and shine a light on it wherever it might be. People around the world will see your work including our judges and mentors, who include visionaries such as Terry Gilliam, Nico Muhly, Jeremy Sams and many others.

    IS THERE A PRIZE?

    In addition to being a major platform to getting your work seen, at the end of Mini Operas we will select three entrants who we think have special talent and could benefit with close personal help from some of the industry’s best people. Jeremy Sams, Nico Muhly and Leo Warner have each kindly agreed to mentor one of our three winners for an academic year. You’ll get to discuss and develop your work with one of the most exciting people in your field.

    OK, ALL CLEAR SO FAR, BUT HOW WILL THE WHOLE THING WORK?

    Here’s Mini Operas in a nutshell:

    We have three excellent writers who’ve each kindly given us a story that will serve as the seeds for the whole run of Mini Operas. We want you to read their stories and choose one you want to base your own script on. Then write a script for a 5-7 minute opera and enter it into the competition.

    We’ll choose 10 winners whose scripts will go through to the composing competition, where we’ll ask all you music-makers out there to write and record a soundtrack for the script of your choice. What you compose is up to you – it might be anything from a piece for orchestra to the sound of traffic outside your window, or anywhere in between. Just make sure it’s your best effort at setting the words to music as you think best fit.

    Round three works the same way: 10 winning soundtracks will go through and then we’ll ask filmmakers to visualise the soundtrack and script in some way. Again, it might be live action, animation or something else – it’s up to you.

    We’ll come out the other end with 10 film winners.

    CAN I SUBMIT MY PIECE IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH?

    No. All work must be in English.

    WHEN EXACTLY DOES MINI OPERAS OPEN AND CLOSE?

    Mini Operas is made up of three linked competitions so there are six dates to keep in mind:

    The scriptwriting competition comes first. It opens on 26 March 2012 and closes to entries on 21 May 2012. Soundtracks are next – that competition opens on 4 June 2012 and closes 23 July 2012. Finally, the filmmaking competition is open from 6 August 2012 to 24 September 2012.

    WHEN WILL THE WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED?

    Our scriptwriting winners will be announced here on 4 June 2012. Winners in the music making competition will be revealed on 6 August 2012. And the lucky 10 filmmakers who make it through will be named on 8 October 2012. Winners of our mentorships will be announced in October 2012 (date tbc).

    IS THERE A WORD LIMIT FOR THE SCRIPT WRITING COMPETITION?

    No. We want you to write a script for a short opera around 5-7 minutes in length. Now that’s slightly difficult to quantify, but if you have a look at the examples we’ve made, you’ll get an idea of what we’re looking for. Bear in mind that they’re only examples and you might choose to write something much shorter. Be sure to give the composer who comes after you enough to work with but generally speaking, less usually really is a bit more.

    IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY PIECES I CAN ENTER?

    No, you can enter as many scripts, soundtracks or films as you like.

    I’M FINISHED! HOW DO I SUBMIT MY ENTRY?

    For the scriptwriting competition, we want you to post your finished script to your blog and then come back to the Mini Operas website to tell us who you are and where we can find your script. Don’t worry if you haven’t got a blog already – they’re easy and free to set up. You can use any blog you like, but www.wordpress.com, www.blogger.com and www.tumblr.com are ones we particularly like.

    THE SCRIPT JUDGES

    Neil Gaiman Author, Contributor, Judge, Script Judge

    Neil Gaiman is the bestselling author of the novels Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods, Anansi Boys and Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett); the Sandman series of graphic novels; and the short story collections Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things. He is also the author of books for readers of all ages including the Newbery Medal winning novel The Graveyard Book, in addition to the bestselling novels Coraline and Odd and the Frost Giants. He is the winner of numerous literary honors, including the Hugo, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy Awards.

    A.L. Kennedy Author, Contributor, Judge, Script Judge

    A.L. Kennedy is a writer of novels, short stories and non-fiction. An Associate Professor in Creative Writing at University of Warwick, her novels include Looking for the Possible Dance, So I Am Glad, Paradise and 2007’s Costa Book of the Year, Day. Kennedy has produced eight short story collections including Tea and Biscuits, Original Bliss and What Becomes, and three non-fiction publications: Life & Death of Colonel Blimp, On Bullfighting and Luwak Care and Breeding. In addition, her screenwriting credits Stella Does Tricks and Dice received critical acclaim, as did her selected radio plays, notably Confessions of a Medium which was broadcast as the Saturday Play on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.

    Will Self Author, Contributor, Judge, Script Judge

    Journalist, critic and fiction writer, Will has penned both novels and short fiction including the critically acclaimed The Quantity Theory of Insanity which won the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize; How the Dead Live which was shortlisted for the Whitbread Book of the Year; and 2010’s Walking to Hollywood. During his career he has pursued a career as a cartoonist for the New Statesman and has even tried his hand at stand-up comedy. He has made many appearances on British television, notably as a panellist on Have I Got News For You and a regular on both Shooting Stars and Grumpy Old Men. Will was appointed Professor of Contemporary Thought at Brunel University in February 2012.

    SUBMITTING YOUR SCRIPT

    Excellent – you’ve written your script and you’re ready to send it in to us. Here’s what you need to do to submit it to the competition.

    First, post your script to your blog. If you haven’t got a blog, they’re quick, easy and free to set up. We particularly like WordPress, Tumblr and Blogger but you can use any one you like. Next, fill in the form below to tell us about yourself. Please be sure to use the same user name if you send in more than one piece.

    We’d also like you to write a very short description of your script – just a sentence or two that sums it up – and include that below. Finally, enter the web link direct to your script on your blog.

    Once we’ve received your script we’ll post it here on the Mini Operas site so be sure to check back and share your entry with your friends.

    The scriptwriting competition closes to entries at 17:00 GMT on 21 May 2012 and winners will be announced on 4 June 2012.

    CONTACT INFORMATION:

    For submissions: via the submission form here

    Website: http://www.minioperas.org

  • MoAfrika 'a Mokgathi Live at State Theatre Night of the Poets (South Africa)

    MoAfrika 'a Mokgathi Live at State Theatre Night of the Poets (South Africa)

    Date: 21 September 2011

    Night of the Poets - Live and raw!

    Local poetic talents showcase their art of words to a backdrop of reggae beats on 21 September celebrating heritage month, featuring Mo'Afrika and 5th Groove. TICKETS R50 Computicket and at the Door.

    Where: State Theatre, 320 Pretorius Street, Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa

    Contact Information:

    For inquiries: call 012 392 4000

  • Job Opening: East Africa Reporter/ Correspondet for National Public Radio (station: Kenya)

    A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. NPR listeners value information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – our employees do too. Innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.

    ROLE SUMMARY:

    Develops ideas/proposals for reports and programs about Africa; gathers information and materials for reports and programs; prepares, presents and transmits reports and program segments from abroad. Takes ownership of regional coverage from Africa: reporting breaking news and develops stories illustrating trends and significant political, economic, social and cultural issues. Presents and transmits reports and program and online elements from the field.

    ESSENTIAL DUTIES INCLUDE:

    Develops ideas/proposals for reports and programs.

    • Conceives, proposes, plans and researches ideas for stories and program segments.
    • Develops news sources and keeps associated files.
    • Participates in departmental planning coverage.
    • Communicates regularly with foreign desk editors about news developments and story ideas.

    Gathers information and materials for reports and programs.
    • Covers stories as assigned by foreign desk editors. Assignments will involve frequent travel and reporting under difficult conditions.
    • Gathers materials on tape and otherwise, through interviews, press conferences, direct coverage of events. Advises editors of technical support required when and where necessary.

    Prepares and presents reports and program segments.
    • In consultation with editors, organizes, edits and produces reports and programs segments, including introductory and continuity material.
    • Provides accurate information to editors for spotting reports in programs, for making payments, for keeping program records.
    • Writes and reads news summaries and hosts/anchors program/live coverage, under supervision of a producer, when so assigned.
    • Fulfills administrative obligations arising from assignments, such as filing prompt and accurate expense records and program information/summaries; maintaining contact with editors and appropriate producers; keeping editors and appropriate producers informed about assignments.

    Correspondent may serve as substitute host for NPR news programs.

    Performs other duties as assigned.

    • Prepares and presents special reports, series, documentaries and program segments examining important subjects in depth.
    • Takes responsibility for developing a comprehensive area beat in all of Africa, as assigned.
    • Keeps foreign desk informed of timely developments and prospective news stories in region through daily advisories.
    • Under the supervision of a producer, anchors or assists in presenting live coverage of hearings, major news conferences and other broadcasting or news events.
    • Does original, investigative reporting, including the generation of ideas and concepts and the development of plans for such reporting.
    • Makes regular and frequent trips throughout Africa, from Sierra Leone to Somalia and many points in between, that produce a variety of major stories, features, and program segments for various NPR programs.
    • Develops and makes use of extensive, proven broadcast production skills in the preparation of program materials and segments.

    QUALIFICATIONS:

    Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

    REQUIRED

    REPORTER:

    • At least four years’ reporting experience in broadcasting or specialized journalism.
    • Experience in foreign reporting and radio broadcast production issues.
    • Proven ability to produce long-form, sound-rich radio pieces
    • Experience in use of computers, microphones, recorders and telecommunication equipment.
    • Proven understanding of foreign policy issues.
    • Proven ability to articulate foreign policy issues in a professional and objective manner.

    CORRESPONDENT:
    • At least six years’ broadcast experience, including foreign reporting and radio production issues.
    • Demonstrated expertise in all aspects of broadcast journalism – reporting, voicing, editing, producing full radio pieces, use of microphones, recorders, computers and telecommunication transmissions via ISDN lines, satellite phones and/or Internet.
    • Expertise in the execution of sophisticated radio broadcast journalism, such as long-form features and documentaries.
    • Proven understanding of complex foreign policy issues.
    • Proven ability to articulate foreign policy issues in a professional and objective manner.

    ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTER/CORRESPONDENT:
    • Experience traveling and working in foreign countries.
    • Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure. Incumbent must be able to report breaking stories for both newscasts and major programs.
    • Proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public radio system.
    • Ability and willingness to work varied hours.
    • Ability and willingness to relocate.

    PREFERRED FOR REPORTER/CORRESPONDENT:
    • Experience living and/or working in difficult foreign situations, including armed conflicts.
    • Fluency in French.

    NPR offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package including health and wellness benefits, retirement, and work/life balance programs, as well as opportunities for career growth and development. NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

    CONTACT INFORMATION:

    For queries/ submissions: apply via NPR's career site here

    Website: http://www.npr.org/

  • Working with Your Life Stories: A Workshop on Writing Memoir (South Africa)

    Dates: 17 - 31 July 2011

    Working with your Life Stories: A workshop on writing memoir facilitated by Dawn Garisch

    Writing is a way of getting to know who you are, what you are feeling and how you relate to people and the planet. Writing memoir focuses this project on the themes or motifs in one’s own life. We each have a life motif that is more or less unconscious. Yet a distinctive and evolving pattern binds our journey from birth to death into a whole coherent piece.

    We tend to live out of the structure of our egos and minds. We all need an identity and clear thinking in order to function effectively. Yet the way we see ourselves and our lives is blinkered, and ignores the symbolic aspects that run through our dreams and bodies. Reason, in our culture, is held in higher regard than the non-rational.

    In writing memoir, even if extraordinary things have happened in our lives, if we stick to a rational, logical approach, the writing is likely to be dead on the page. If we write only out of what we are thinking and what we know, we will never do our best work. In this workshop, we will identify the central symbols and images that underlie and drive our lives and our creative projects. We will find ways to quieten the critic and the ego so that undercurrents can emerge from what James Hillman calls ‘the poetic base of the mind’.

    Imagination is an extraordinary tool. In this workshop we will reclaim imagination as a means to release ourselves into awe and creativity, connectedness and purpose, awareness and pleasure. Through becoming conscious of and engaging with the images that shape our time on earth, we will engender ways to live a fleshed-out, creative and fully-fledged life, as well as finding refreshing ways of putting our personal stories down on the page.
    Beginner writers are welcome.

    Venue: The False Bay Rendevous, Muizenberg
    Fee: R 1100 -00
    Dates: 27th – 31st July
    Times : 9am to 1pm daily

    To bring: * Unlined, ring-bound A4 notebook and pen * A cushion and a blanket or rug.
    * Two objects from the period of your life that you want to write about - one that represents something you loved about it, and one that represents something you disliked about that time.

    To book: dawn.garisch@gmail.com

    Dawn Garisch has had five novels, poetry and adult literacy books published. Her latest novel, Trespass, was shortlisted for the Commonwealth prize in Africa. She has had a short film and short play produced, and has written for newspapers, magazines and for television. She has run workshops on creativity at Dakini, the Mother City Book Fair and The Forge.

    Her next book is a mix of memoir and popular science, and examines the two legs of her working life – writing and doctoring. It explores how science and art perceive the world and the truth, what the body has to do with this, and how the tools required to develop a creative project are also essential for living life creatively.

    Contact Information:

    For inquiries: dawn.garisch@gmail.com

    For submissions: dawn.garisch@gmail.com

  • Job Opening: East Africa Reporter/ Correspondent for National Public Radio (station: Kenya)

    A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. NPR listeners value information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – our employees do too. Innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.

    ROLE SUMMARY:

    Develops ideas/proposals for reports and programs about Africa; gathers information and materials for reports and programs; prepares, presents and transmits reports and program segments from abroad. Takes ownership of regional coverage from Africa: reporting breaking news and develops stories illustrating trends and significant political, economic, social and cultural issues. Presents and transmits reports and program and online elements from the field.

    ESSENTIAL DUTIES INCLUDE:

    Develops ideas/proposals for reports and programs.

    • Conceives, proposes, plans and researches ideas for stories and program segments.
    • Develops news sources and keeps associated files.
    • Participates in departmental planning coverage.
    • Communicates regularly with foreign desk editors about news developments and story ideas.

    Gathers information and materials for reports and programs.
    • Covers stories as assigned by foreign desk editors. Assignments will involve frequent travel and reporting under difficult conditions.
    • Gathers materials on tape and otherwise, through interviews, press conferences, direct coverage of events. Advises editors of technical support required when and where necessary.

    Prepares and presents reports and program segments.
    • In consultation with editors, organizes, edits and produces reports and programs segments, including introductory and continuity material.
    • Provides accurate information to editors for spotting reports in programs, for making payments, for keeping program records.
    • Writes and reads news summaries and hosts/anchors program/live coverage, under supervision of a producer, when so assigned.
    • Fulfills administrative obligations arising from assignments, such as filing prompt and accurate expense records and program information/summaries; maintaining contact with editors and appropriate producers; keeping editors and appropriate producers informed about assignments.

    Correspondent may serve as substitute host for NPR news programs.

    Performs other duties as assigned.

    • Prepares and presents special reports, series, documentaries and program segments examining important subjects in depth.
    • Takes responsibility for developing a comprehensive area beat in all of Africa, as assigned.
    • Keeps foreign desk informed of timely developments and prospective news stories in region through daily advisories.
    • Under the supervision of a producer, anchors or assists in presenting live coverage of hearings, major news conferences and other broadcasting or news events.
    • Does original, investigative reporting, including the generation of ideas and concepts and the development of plans for such reporting.
    • Makes regular and frequent trips throughout Africa, from Sierra Leone to Somalia and many points in between, that produce a variety of major stories, features, and program segments for various NPR programs.
    • Develops and makes use of extensive, proven broadcast production skills in the preparation of program materials and segments.

    QUALIFICATIONS:

    Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

    Required

    Reporter:

    • At least four years’ reporting experience in broadcasting or specialized journalism.
    • Experience in foreign reporting and radio broadcast production issues.
    • Proven ability to produce long-form, sound-rich radio pieces
    • Experience in use of computers, microphones, recorders and telecommunication equipment.
    • Proven understanding of foreign policy issues.
    • Proven ability to articulate foreign policy issues in a professional and objective manner.

    Correspondent:
    • At least six years’ broadcast experience, including foreign reporting and radio production issues.
    • Demonstrated expertise in all aspects of broadcast journalism – reporting, voicing, editing, producing full radio pieces, use of microphones, recorders, computers and telecommunication transmissions via ISDN lines, satellite phones and/or Internet.
    • Expertise in the execution of sophisticated radio broadcast journalism, such as long-form features and documentaries.
    • Proven understanding of complex foreign policy issues.
    • Proven ability to articulate foreign policy issues in a professional and objective manner.

    Additional Requirements for Reporter/Correspondent:
    • Experience traveling and working in foreign countries.
    • Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure. Incumbent must be able to report breaking stories for both newscasts and major programs.
    • Proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public radio system.
    • Ability and willingness to work varied hours.
    • Ability and willingness to relocate.

    Preferred for Reporter/Correspondent:

    Experience living and/or working in difficult foreign situations, including armed conflicts.
    Fluency in French.

    NPR offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package including health and wellness benefits, retirement, and work/life balance programs, as well as opportunities for career growth and development. NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

    CONTACT INFORMATION:

    For submissions: apply via NPR's career site here (click on "apply for this job online")

    Website: http://www.npr.org/

  • Job Opening: Junior Journalist for Caravan & Outdoor Life Magazine (South Africa)

    Job Opening: Junior Journalist for Caravan & Outdoor Life Magazine (South Africa)

    Caravan & Outdoor Life magazine is now in its 50th year of publication. We live, sleep and dream of our next holiday adventure and present these colourful destinations to you in every issue - from top quality seaside resorts to the African bushveld, including thrilling off-road caravaning to remote destinations in South Africa and our neighbouring countries.

    Caravan is looking for a Junior Journalist.

    Are you a keen outdoors person, preferably male, live in Cape Town, have (or prepared to get) an EB rated drivers license for towing caravans and trailers, good with a camera and good writing skills? E-mail your two page (max) CV to editor@caravansa.co.za.

    Location: Westlake, Cape Town, South Africa

    Contact Information:

    For inquiries: editor@caravansa.co.za

    For submissions: editor@caravansa.co.za

    Website: http://www.caravansa.co.za

  • Call for Submissions: Edited Collection on Contemporary African American Satire in all Media

    Deadline: 1 January 2012

    Proposals for essays should be between 750 and 1000 words and should articulate a clear critical question in relation to a set of primary and secondary texts. It is the editors’ view (in accordance with the view of most academic presses) that a successful edited collection needs a clear and compelling organizing narrative and, thus, successful proposals will articulate clearly which critical narratives are at work within their rhetorical structures and why. Completed proposals are due on January 1, 2012 and can be sent to either Derek C. Maus (mausdc@potsdam.edu) or James J. Donahue (donahujj@potsdam.edu) or mailed in hard-copy to Derek Maus, 244 Morey Hall, State University of New York at Potsdam, Potsdam, NY, 13676. We welcome any inquiries or questions about the volume prior to this submission date as well. Submitters will be notified about the status of their essays by February 1, 2012 and final essays of 4500-6000 words will be due on June 1, 2012 with a projected publication date some time in 2013. We have received strong initial interest in this volume from a major academic press and have every reason to believe it will be accepted for publication along to this timeline.

    Possible topics (others are welcomed)

    * Dawolu Jabari Anderson (visual artist; The Birth of a Nation: Yo! Bumrush the Show)
    * Damali Ayo (conceptual artist and writer; rent-a-negro.com; Obaminstan!: Land Without Racism)
    * Kevin Avery (“Siskel and Negro”; Thugs: the Musical)
    * Paul Beatty (novelist; The White Boy Shuffle; Slumberland; Tuff; etc.)
    * W. Kamau Bell (The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour; Face Full of Flour; Laughter Against the Machine)
    * Black Dynamite (film)
    * Dave Chappelle (Chappelle’s Show; stand-up comedy)
    * Chocolate News (short-lived African American-themed satirical news-show on Comedy Central hosted by David Alan Grier)
    * Rusty Cundieff (Fear of a Black Hat; Tales from the Hood; etc.)
    * Ego Trip (magazine and website)
    * Trey Ellis (novelist, screenwriter; Platitudes; Home Repairs; Right Here, Right Now)
    * Patrice Evans (Negropedia: The Assimilated Negro's Crash Course on the Modern Black Experience; “The Assimilated Negro” blog)
    * Percival Everett (novelist; A History of the African-American People (Proposed) by Strom Thurmond, as told to Percival Everett & James Kincaid; Erasure; I Am Not Sidney Poitier; etc.)
    * Donald Glover (stand-up comedy; Community; "Childish Gambino" hip=hop performances)
    * David Hammons (visual and conceptual artist; "African American Flag")
    * D. L. Hughley (stand-up comedy; D.L. Hughley Breaks the News [CNN show])
    * Darius James (Negrophobia: An Urban Parable)
    * Charles Johnson (novelist; Oxherding Tale; Middle Passage; etc.)
    * Mat Johnson (novelist; Pym; Hunting in Harlem)
    * Keith Knight (cartoonist of The K Chronicles and (Th)ink)
    * Spike Lee (filmmaker; School Daze; Bamboozled)
    * Aaron McGruder (Boondocks comic strip and television show)
    * Paul Mooney (stand-up comedy; television)
    * Tracy Morgan (stand-up comedy; Saturday Night Live; 30 Rock)
    * Z.Z. Packer (short-story writer; novelist; Drinking Coffee Elsewhere)
    * Ishmael Reed (novelist; The Terrible Twos; The Terrible Threes; Japanese By Spring; Juice!)
    * Chris Rock (Saturday Night Live; The Chris Rock Show; stand-up comedy)
    * Wanda Sykes (stand-up comedy; various television shows)
    * Baratunde Thurston (writer and editor for The Onion; Better Than Crying: Poking Fun at Politics, the Press & Pop Culture; How to Be Black)
    * Touré (novelist, short-story writer; journalist; Soul City; The Portable Promised Land)
    * Robert Townsend (Hollywood Shuffle)
    * Keenen Ivory Wayans and other Wayans family members (In Living Color; I’m Gonna Get You Sucka; White Chicks; etc.)
    * Colson Whitehead (novelist; The Intuitionist; John Henry Days; Apex Hides the Hurt; etc.)
    * George C. Wolfe (The Colored Museum)

    Patrice Evans, who blogs under the moniker “The Assimilated Negro,” published an online essay on the ebonyjet.com website late in 2007 that lamented the seeming lack of satire in mainstream black culture:

    [W]hy does it seem like black people are missing the boat -- treating the SS Satire like a slave ship? Sometimes it feels we only get the joke if it's the lowest common denominator, otherwise we have to put on our suits and let Oprah or Tyler Perry hold our hands and make sure there's a heavy Maya Angelou level of respect.[…] Where are the black branded satirists? Maybe we don't get it. Maybe we don't care to get it. Are there no satirists because of the lack of demand? It can't be for lack of opportunity. Every week we get a new race-event begging for lampooning: Watson, Jena 6, OJ, Imus, Michael Richards, Vick .... all present unique opportunities to make a joke that might mean a little more to someone with melanin.

    Evans goes on to engage in some “speculative armchair psychology” and wonder openly if what he calls the “critical”, “literary”, and “detached” elements of satire are not barriers to African Americans’ participation in this mode of cultural commentary. Not surprisingly, Evans’s article garnered numerous online responses, both in its original form and in numerous repostings around the Internet. We seek to assemble a collection of scholarly essays about satire in contemporary African American culture in order to develop that response in both depth and breadth, examining both the premises that undergird Evans’s original claims and a range of African American satirists working in a variety of media over the past thirty years.
    Our volume seeks to build on the solid foundation laid by Darryl Dickson-Carr’s African American Satire (Univ. of Missouri Press, 2001) and the contributors to Dana Williams’s collection African American Humor, Irony and Satire (Cambridge Scholars, 2007). To that end we seek essays that critically examine African American satirical works since 1980, with an eye towards synthesizing a nuanced picture not only of the variety of forms in which African American satire appears but also of the larger media environment in which it participates. We invite close readings of individual satirists (a list of potential topics is appended below, but we welcome essays on other artists, especially women, from all media) as well as overarching meta-critical and theoretical discussions of themes, (sub)genres, or other aspects of the satirical mode as it relates to contemporary African American culture. We also would welcome essays that examine the use of satire by artists and within works not usually associated with the mode (e.g., Dickson-Carr’s discussion of Toni Morrison’s Jazz in his book) and wish to emphasize that our definition of satire is not limited solely to comedic or satiric-parodic works.

    Proposals for essays should be between 750 and 1000 words and should articulate a clear critical question in relation to a set of primary and secondary texts. It is the editors’ view (in accordance with the view of most academic presses) that a successful edited collection needs a clear and compelling organizing narrative and, thus, successful proposals will articulate clearly which critical narratives are at work within their rhetorical structures and why. Completed proposals are due on January 1, 2012 and can be sent to either Derek C. Maus (mausdc@potsdam.edu) or James J. Donahue (donahujj@potsdam.edu) or mailed in hard-copy to Derek Maus, 244 Morey Hall, State University of New York at Potsdam, Potsdam, NY, 13676. We welcome any inquiries or questions about the volume prior to this submission date as well. Submitters will be notified about the status of their essays by February 1, 2012 and final essays of 4500-6000 words will be due on June 1, 2012 with a projected publication date some time in 2013. We have received strong initial interest in this volume from a major academic press and have every reason to believe it will be accepted for publication along to this timeline.

    Contact Information:

    For inquiries: mausdc@potsdam.edu or donahujj@potsdam.edu

    For submissions: mausdc@potsdam.edu or donahujj@potsdam.edu

  • We're Live on Yahoo Messenger! (id = resourceforwriters): information/ research requests welcome

    We're Live on Yahoo Messenger! (id = resourceforwriters): information/ research requests welcome

    This is our final blog template. We just fixed the bug that wouldn't allow the display of label or search pages. Sorry about that.

    And it's about time we got connected. If you have queries/ requests for assistance, information or research (related to literature, journalism or writing) - chat with us. We're live on Yahoo Messenger 16 hours a day. Simply add resourceforwriters. Our research tools are sophisticated; we might be able to help you out - real time.

    Our resource blogs and service rely on your donations. And yes, we still need them to help us get started again. We've been busy screening thousands of writing opportunities, re-designing the template and updating our calendars - your support will be immensely appreciated!




  • Call for Poems/ Prose: Sowetan Newspaper's "By the Youth, For the Youth" Project (South Africa)

    SOWETAN is giving the youth a voice - in the spirit of national Youth Month - by inviting the participation of youths not older than 25 in a new, exciting nation-building project called Youth Tube - By The Youth, For The Youth.

    This youth-affirming project is inspired by a brainwave from Sowetan Live colleague Razia Pillay. You can send us a short poem, a little rap act, short video presentation, picture story, prose or any artistic expression.

    Your creative submissions should all be addressing topics including:

    * What it means for me to be broke,
    * Potential,
    * If I was a youth leader, this is what I'd do/change,
    * Growing up in the hood,
    * Am I privileged if I have everything?, or
    * on the topic: Stop....?!;

    Or you can express yourself on these other topics:

    * My role model is.... because....
    * What my grandmother has taught me;
    * Every scar has a story,
    * Peer pressure,
    * Freedom,
    * Growing up with granny,
    * Daddy's girl,
    * I'm over this celeb / hobby / booze / guy... because...,
    * Being broke,
    * Rebelling against everything,
    * My first kiss, and
    * Getting a piercing and or a tattoo.

    The best work will be published in the Sowetan Nation Building section on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays. Send submissions via e-mail to tellus@sowetan.co.za or drop your submission off at: Avusa House, 4 Biermann Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg. Please mark it For Attention Razia Pillay at Sowetan LIVE.

    Contact Information:

    For inquiries: tellus@sowetan.co.za

    For submissions: tellus@sowetan.co.za

    Website: http://www.sowetanlive.co.za

  • Invitation to Book n Gauge II: Book Readings at Debonair Bookstore Yaba (Nigeria)

    Invitation to Book n Gauge II: Book Readings at Debonair Bookstore Yaba (Nigeria)

    Date: 30 July 2011

    PulpFactionClub + Wordsmithy Media + Debonair Present: Book ‘n’ Gauge II: 4 Writers, 3 Performers, 1 Afternoon + YOU

    The second edition of Book n Gauge is scheduled to hold on 30th July, 2011 @ Debonair Bookstore, 294, Herbert Macaulay Way, Sabo, Yaba. 3pm - 6pm. In the month of July, we would be hosting you to four amazing writers, three performers and it’s going to be a blast. It’s an afternoon of readings, live performances and you. Be our guest!

    Readings:

    Toni Kan is popularly known as one-time editor of Hints. The award winning poet, essayist and short story writer is the author of the acclaimed poetry collection When a Dream Lingers Too Long and the novella Ballad of Rage. His latest work Nights of the Creaking Bed is full of colourful characters involved in affecting dramas: a girl rejected in love because she has three brothers to look after; a middle-aged housewife who finds love again but has an impossible decision to make; a young man who can't get the image of his naked, beautiful mother out of his mind. With years of experience in the corporate sector, loads of laughter, the witty award-winning Toni Kan is always a delight.

    Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo is a lecturer, writer, novelist, critic, essayist, journalist, and administrator. She has written over twenty books. Her latest work Roses and Bullets, published by Jalaa Writers’ Collective is about the Nigerian Civil War. The former winner of the NLNG Prize for Literature, the biggest prize for literature in Nigeria, heads the Prize’s panel of judges this year.

    Jumoke Verissimo is a confirmed wordsmith; she has worked as a journalist, copywriter, sub-editor and editor. Her award-winning collection of poems, I am Memory explores the idea of memory. She has been a guest poet at the 48th Struga Poetry Evenings, Macedonia and 15th Norwegian Literature Festival in Lillehammer, Norway. Her work has won many awards which include First Prize, Carlos Idize Ahmad Prize for a first book of Poetry 2009; Second Prize, Anthony Agbo Prize for Poetry 2009 and Honourable Mention Association of Nigeria (Poetry) 2009. She electrifies the stage with her poetry performances.

    Uche Ezeh -Al is known as a copywriter in the corporate communications sector. His works has won many awards in brands communication. Jungle Drumbeats is his first published novel.

    Performances

    Kafayat Quadri started playing guitar at the age of 13, thanks to her music loving Dad who introduced her to the world of music and mouth organs. He played tunes from Rex Lawson, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Haruna Ishola on the guitar and mouth organ sometimes accompanied with the talking drum. Her first guitar performance was at her secondary school, since then, she’s been stuck. If you ever visit Theatre@Terra, the young lady who opens the plays with music; that’s Kafayat!

    Aramide - An addicted lover of music, she has written over 100 songs. In 2008, she was part of a show called ‘Divas Unplugged’ in the city of Jos; the show had all the leading female artistes in the Nigerian music industry. Aramide is also a Guitarist and the Saxophonist. She’s passionate about are freedom of women and love. She has worked with artistes like M.I and Jesse Jagz. For soulful Aramide, music is life.

    D Tone - He’s one of the new Nigerian singers to watch out for. His new singles “Sunkun Ife” and“Ife Gbagbara” have been attracting rave reviews. He has performed on stages with Nigerian musicians like Dj Zeez, M I, Banky, 2 face, 9ice, Sunny Ade, Femi Kuti and P-Square. Eyes closed, fingers strumming the guitar, sonorous voice tantalizing the audience, D Tone is always a delight to watch.

    There promises to be:

    • A one-on-one interaction between authors and readers
    • A platform for book enthusiasts to meet, interact and network. (Members of PulpFactionClub on Facebook and followers on Twitter would have a grand opportunity to meet).
    • Freebies
    • Live Musical performances by: guitar masters D Tone and Kafayat Quadri; and a surprise performance by Aramide.
    • Book signing

  • Abuja Writers' Forum May Guest Writer Session: Abubakar Adam Ibrahim

    Date: 26 May 2012

    Award-winning writer and journalist, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, will be the featured author on May 26 at the Guest Writer Session an initiative of the Abuja Writers’ Forun (AWF) which started in June 2008 and has become the template for similar programmes nationwide. The Guest Writer Session which this year featured Uche Ezechukwu, Steve Okecha, Oyibo Ameh, K K Iloduba and Betty Abah holds by 4pm at Hamdala Plaza, Plot 23, Jimmy Carter Street, off Protea Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja.

    Abubakar Adam Ibrahim has been fascinated with writing from a much younger age, which was what motivated him to dump the sciences and study Mass Communications at the University of Jos.

    He has dabbled into poetry and plays but is more at home with prose. He won the BBC African Performance Prize in 2007 and the ANA Plateau/Amatu Braide Prize for Prose the following year. He also emerged runner-up for the ANA Plateau Poetry Prize.

    He is a fellow of the British Council Radiophonics creative writing workshop and has been selected for the Fidelity Bank Creative Writing Workshop as well as the Caine Prize for African Writing workshop (2012) – which he could not attend because of the Nigeria-South Africa Yellow fever row.

    His radio drama, A Bull Man’s Story which fetched him the BBC African Performance Prize in 2007 was highly commended by the judges for the writer’s ‘ability to enter the minds of his character’.

    He published his first novel, The Quest for Nina in 2009 with a small publishing outfit in the US and has gone on to feature on several online webzines where his short fictions and essays have been well received locally and internationally.

    He has been featured in Daughters of Eve and Other New Short Stories from Nigeria published by CCC Press, London in 2010.

    His debut collection of short stories, The Whispering Trees, is published in Nigeria by Parresia Publishers, Lagos and has been receiving positive endorsement within the literary community in Nigeria. In the words of poet and activist Odia Ofeimun, Ibrahim has writes “stories that haunt with a telling animist-realist sensibility” and he “ draws on old, intriguing traditions of folklore to thresh new and challenging insight into how we live today.” For A. Igoni Barrett, “fire and smoke, snapshots of life and brushstrokes of afterlife, the mystical running alongside domestic commonplaces, these are the energetic strains of ” Ibrahim’s debut story collection. While Helon Habila regards Ibrahim as a writer to look out for.

    Educated at the University of Jos, Nigeria, where he obtained a degree in Mass Communication, Abubakar had a stint with the Vanguard newspaper. He is currently the Arts Editor of Abuja based Sunday Trust newspaper.

    Since its inception four years ago, the Guest Writer Session has been a consistent feature of the nation’s literary scene. The May 26, 2012 edition will include the usual side attractions of poetry performance, mini art exhibition, and a raffle-draw as well as live music. The Abuja Writer’s Forum meets three Sundays each month and hosts a reading on every last Saturday at the International Institute of Journalism, Hamdala Plaza, Jimmy Carter Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

    CONTACT INFORMATION:

    For inquiries: abujawriters@fastermail.com

    Website: http://www.abujawritersforum.com/

  1. Deadline Extended: Ruth First Fellowship for Journalism in South Africa
  2. Job Opening: Media Communications Lecturer for Berea Technical College (South Africa)
  3. Job Opening: Reporter/ Editor/ Proofreader for a Publishing Company (Nigeria)
  4. Job Opening: Senior Reporter for Finweek Magazine ( Media 24, South Africa)
  5. Job Opening: Journalist for Weskus Media (South Africa)