Women's Aid Northern Ireland Anthology - Submissions closing soon

WOMEN’S AID NI ANTHOLOGY

Background and Context
This anthology of poetry and prose will give voice and agency to victims & survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their allies while also being an income stream to Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland in a time of decreasing funding and an increasing demand for our services.
The content will include experiences of domestic violence abuse and survival; works of the imagination and personal experience. It will also include work from first time writers alongside seasoned writers.

We will collect and collate poems and prose from women who are using or have previously used our services as well as other victims, survivors and allies which will help raise awareness of the pervasiveness of domestic and sexual violence and to facilitate changing the conversation in society in ending harassment, abuse and impunity.

This is a women led project, inclusive of those who are women with a trans history, non-binary and/or presumed female.

It is envisaged that the anthology will celebrate journeys beyond survival; of survival and of celebration. This will be a collection of writing addressing the issues of violence, unequal treatment, of identity and self-determination that will include some well-known writers as well as first time and emerging writers, carefully crafted to give to break the silence and challenge assumptions around issues that pervade our existence.

Contributors’ Guidelines

Closing Date for submissions: Friday 30th November 2018

Who can send work in?
Primarily women, including those who are women with a trans history, non-binary
and/or presumed female.You can be anything from a first time to an established
writer.

On What Themes?

Survival and Empowerment
This can be of any kind: from life-threatening to life limiting, mental,
physical, emotional. Eg bullying, social attitudes, negating laws,
upbringing, religious teaching, etc.

Autonomy
Owning and defining your body, your self.
How you live and control your own life and wellbeing;

Identity
Who you are, what defines you? Your journey. This can be personal, or perhaps
historical, referring to women you have known or identitfy with or wish to
make visible. (perhaps this should be a separate category?)
Breaking down myths.

Celebration
Of self, of the journey, of life, of change, motherhood/ parenthood, love, friendship

In what form?
Original poems, prose poems, short prose (which may be story, flash fiction,
personal recollection or reflection. Must be your own work, preferably not previously
published. If previously published, please give details of publication and copyright
permission to republish.

How much and how long?
Up to three pieces of work per person, total line length (including line spaces) 114.

Please send by email to: kellie.odowd@womensaidni.org

What and How do I send in my submission?
Please send your work in a word document. Include your name and email address
on each page of the word attachment accompanying your email.

Put the titles of your submissions, your name, email and contact phone number in
the email.

If it is not possible to send work by email, please post a paper copy to:

Kellie O’Dowd
Anthology Contributions
Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland
129 University Street
BELFAST BT7 1HP

We will acknowledge receipt of all work sent in. Unfortunately we cannot include all
work, so please send what you feel is your best and most relevant work. We cannot
return work, so keep a copy.