"Suppressed Realities" is an experimental digital anthology inviting poets from East Africa to respond directly to its theme: Suppressed Realities.
The anthology poses questions such as: What stands in the way of things? If culture loads the gun, where is the poet's pen in all of this? Who holds the poet's hand through and against the circumstances in which people find themselves? Who, or what, suppresses reality?
Broadly, the anthology seeks poems that respond to any and all material — for example, news stories in the form of headlines, recent images or videos, and articles — that represent a form of "reality."
Contributors are encouraged to speculate in all directions and extend to the page an attempt at openly addressing not only what is suppressed but also why and how it is suppressed.
Additionally, poems can celebrate heritage, imagine alternative worlds, or explore identity, culture, and belonging through the shapes that "culture" and its troubled heartbeat(s) take on.
The changing cultural expectations among the youth and brewing tensions with the older generation; the cultures created to accentuate identity and belonging; what is in the way of expression and the ability to live a full life; how people have coped or are coping; and the apprehension these self-created cultures attract or have attracted.
Poems of all forms and styles are acceptable.
Format Guidelines
-Submissions should be sent to: suppressedrealities@gmail.com and cc: hisiayard@gmail.com.
-The email subject line should be formatted as: Suppressed Realities, Poem Title, Name (e.g., Suppressed Realities: What Strength Lives in Poetry: Michael Imossan).
-If multiple poems are submitted, the title of the first poem should be included in the subject line.
-A 12-point serif font should be used, with single-spaced lines and double-spaced stanzas.
-Contributors may submit 1-3 poems. Poems should be attached as .doc, .docx, or .pdf files.
-Work should not be copied and pasted into the body of the email.
-Each poem should start on a new page.
-To facilitate blind reading, submissions should not include the poet's name or bio information in the document containing the poems.
-Each poem should have a clear title.
-The event being responded to should be annotated at the beginning of each poem. For example, a poem by Michael Imossan, "What Strength Lives in Poetry," might respond to: "Unknown Gunmen Shoot 5 in Imo Community" [Leadership Newspaper, June 2022].
-The body of the email should include a short bio with contact details (phone number and email address) and the poet's country of origin.
-Previously published poems will not be accepted. Submissions should be original work in response to the theme.
-General compensation will be provided for all accepted work in exchange for the assignment of exclusive rights for a limited period of time.
-Contributors are encouraged to submit their best work but should not self-reject. If there is any doubt about the quality of a poem, it may still be exactly what the anthology is looking for. Poets are encouraged to explore the theme and sub-themes as widely as possible.
Selected poets will be notified. For further inquiries, contact suppressedrealities@gmail.com.
Eligibility
Poets from the greater East Africa region.
Compensation
General compensation of Ksh. 1500 will be provided for all accepted work in exchange for the assignment of exclusive rights for a limited period of time (until 1st January 2025).
Submission Deadline
20th September 2024.
*Featured Image: Jessica Lewis on Pexels
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