Cover letter to The Center For Fiction (or Please get me a job)

Dear “The Center For Fiction” team:

It was a rainy day in January, 2019, pre-covid times, and I was going or coming from somewhere, carrying, as usual, my poetry chapbooks in my pocket. Suddenly, in Lafayette and Ashland Place, this beautiful glass building, filled with books, and crowned with the sign “The Center For Fiction,” popped up. I entered, strolled around, and was impressed by its endless shelves and exquisite architecture. I loved the place and desired to be part of it, so I stepped in front of the cashier and asked—“Do you sell zines.” Not to buy your merch, but to sell you mine. Gently, the man at the counter recommended that I email you, which I did, only to be written-notified that you don’t sell self-publication editions.

I totally understand.

Let’s start over. Hi, I’m Arelis Uribe, writer, and translator, nice to meet you (again). I attained a Bachelor in Journalism, and a Masters in Political Communication in Chile, my homeland. Reading and writing have always been my passions—I’ve been writing in newspapers since I was 18, and launched my first book of fiction stories at 29, called “Quiltras,” published in Chile, Spain, Mexico, and France. During my career over the past 15 years, I’ve been Literature and Writing professor at universities, and also held workshops and book clubs to a wide range of audiences. In 2019, I decided to come to New York to complete an MFA in Creative Writing at NYU.

The first book I read after arriving in the US was “Just Kids,” by Patti Smith. I am not sure if you are familiar with the story, but Smith came to New York from New Jersey without a penny in her pocket. She even slept in parks some nights. However, she loved art—creation was her engine. She loved museums, libraries, and bookstores. In fact, she was employed as a bookseller at Strand, merely to pass time surrounded by books, because she was a fierce reader and writer, and so am I.

Therefore, and inspired by my personal heroes, I am pleased to submit my resume for your consideration for the Part-Time Bookseller position at The Center For Fiction. I read every morning, and write every night—to be paid for exploring and recommending books sounds like a dream. Besides, as an insatiable reader and published author, a part-time job gives me the perfect balance between productively working and idly creating. It would be a real pleasure to spend my labor hours talking with people about literature, discovering new titles, and being part of a gathering center devoted to fiction and storytelling.

I adore literature so much, that I founded my own pocket poetry project—Editorial Negra. I make zines, the small books I offered you, many, many months ago. Although you didn't buy them (no hard feelings), I can assure have been selling them like hot bread in fairs in Brooklyn this summer. And I am honestly good at it. Because I am madly in love with words, and I have the power to spread that passion around. It would be a great opportunity for me to offer that strength to The Center For Fiction, that amazing bookstore in Fort Green that struck me once on a rainy day.

Warmly,
Arelis Uribe