This is the updated call for submissions of creative nonfiction for an anthology tentatively titled, FINDING GOD. The book will be co-edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and Marily Ysip Orosa and published in the Philippines by Anvil. Contributors will receive copies of the book as compensation for the use of their work.
The manuscript should be approximately 10 pages long, typed, double-spaced (approximately 2,500 words) and should include your contact information on the first page. This can be emailed to cbrainard@gmail.com or to marilyo@yahoo.com.
You may also send it by airmail to:
Cecilia Brainard
c/o PALH
PO Box 5099
Santa Monica, CA 90409
USA
Cecilia writes:
Our vision is to collect essays (creative nonfiction) that describe one’s spiritual journey towards God. We envision the essays to focus on a specific incident that made the writer “find God” or that drew the writer closest to God. We have a preference toward a writing style that uses elements as scene and dialogue. On 19 March 2008, Cecilia added this statement: The editors realize people’s spiritual journeys are unique, and such journeys may be rocky or smooth. The editors respect individuals’ experiences. The guidelines in the Call are simply to give Contributors ideas. The editors will also read shorter pieces.
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The editors are looking for articles that are lively, specific and visual – articles that address questions such as:
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Have you ever felt abandoned by God or felt your life in shambles, then realized that God was there all along?
o
Did you ever have a close encounter with God? How? What circumstances surrounded such an encounter? Describe how such an encounter happened, in specific terms – where, when, how old were you, how did you feel before the encounter, and how did you feel after the encounter? How has your life changed from such an encounter?
o
What specific situation was it that made you realize there is a God and that He is close to you?
o
Take us on that journey: make us see you and those around you; make us feel what you had felt when you felt abandoned; make us feel what you felt when you discovered God; and make us see how your life has changed after finding God.
Deadline for submission is July 15, 2008. Early submissions are welcome. Please include your bio (approx. 150 words) in people-friendly narrative form, and all contact information (email address, mailing address, telephone number).
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ABOUT THE EDITORS:
Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the author/editor of 14 books; Marily Ysip Orosa is the publisher of historical coffee table books. Both Cecilia and Marily have won numerous awards for their literary work. They have collaborated on two other anthologies: Behind the Walls: Life of Convent Girls, and the award-winning A La Carte: Food & Fiction, both published by Anvil.
Francine L. Baldwin said,
May 31, 2008 at 9:09 am
This sounds like a very interesting and much needed anthology to inspire, uplift and inform. I am in the process of writing a submission. Can this story sound like a testimony? what is the word limit and how many books are given for compension.
Looking fordward to submitting and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Francine Baldwin
Blessedgma129@aol.com
anthropologist said,
May 31, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Hi, Francine,
Looking over the submission guidelines, the word limit is 2,500.
But, to be sure about this and all your other questions, you should contact Cecilia Brainard, who is co-editing the collection. Her e-mail is crbainard@gmail.com
Melanie Stephan said,
June 10, 2008 at 12:24 am
Hi, would you be interested in my story in how God found me? It was a big surprise. I always thought that I was just a small grain of sand on the beach. God would not take interest in me. Most people would agree with that. Then God comes to my house to talk to me and only me. He had a lot to say too. Most people are not interested in what he had to say. They don’t think God would come and talk to anyone. He usually doesn’t talk to anyone. Really when is the last time he talked to you? I mean really unloaded on you?
His big message to me was the meaning of First is Last and Last is First. Most people would never be able to understand what that means. This is what God told me: In the morning I go to Heaven. In the afternoon I live my life. In the evening I die, death. To make this easier to understand, I will explain. Birth is Last and Last is Birth. Seems simple now that I told you the meaning. You would never have gotten it if I hadn’t. There is more hidden in these 3 simple sentences. Can you find it?
anthropologist said,
June 10, 2008 at 1:00 am
Hi, Melanie,
Thanks for checking out my blog. Unfortunately, I’m not the editor of the anthology. To submit, you need to contact one of the editors. Cecilia Brainard’s e-mail is cbrainard@gmail.com