Submission deadline: November 1, 2013
Editor: Tanya Chernov
Seeking submissions of poetry on confronting serious illness and loss, and the lessons learned as we find our way through the darkness. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance. Submit poems along with a brief bio via email to tanya@tanyachernov.com.
Everyone thinks that publishing my memoir, A Real Emotional Girl, must have been a debut writer’s dream come true. Well, sorta.
The truth is that the road to publication has taken plenty of dips and detours, offered many a-bump in the road over the ten years it took me to complete the manuscript. Telling the story of my father’s battle with colon cancer and all that happened to me after he died was the greatest creative challenge of my life.
When I did finally sign that book deal and watch as my story hit bookshelves around the country, I knew that I had found healing and peace in my own heart after so much pain, so much turmoil. But I also knew that my work wasn’t finished—not by a long shot.
The one thing that made, and continues to make, the hard work of those ten long years worthwhile has been the tremendous response from those who have also lost loved ones and who have experienced the feelings I shared in the memoir. Coming together over our struggles has shown me that though grief may never go away, companionship and understanding can be just as enduring. I am determined to keep offering that support in every way I can.
In my father’s memory, I’m diving into a whole new labor of love. But this time, I’ve learned a thing or two; this time, I’ve learned not to go it alone. Getting by with a little help from all my friends in the writing biz, I’m putting together a poetry anthology that will pick up where the memoir left off, filling in the cracks of broken hearts by uniting our voices, sharing our stories, and creating a collection that has a chance to not just talk about helping, but actually help.
100% of the proceeds from this anthology will benefit the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance. And if all of that weren’t enough, the anthology will utilize the digital format to give readers a unique, more personalized experience than your typical anthology.
What does this mean for my little brainchild? It means that my contributors will be free to deliver a whole array of multimedia side dishes to our readers. For example, we can record readings of our poems, interviews discussing how serious illness has affected us, or even messages encouraging readers to donate. Songs, plays, visual art and the like can also be included. The sky (or really, the cloud) is the limit.
I’m proud to have worked with my agent, Gordon Warnock, since we were both young pups, and prouder still to have been an FLI client since day 1. Together, we represent the future of the publishing industry: a revolving flurry of fresh ideas and hybrid technologies that values—above all else—an appreciation of the written word in its highest form. The agency is, when you think about, pretty damn incredible for not only allowing me to work on a project like this (read: one with non-recoupable costs), but also stepping up to the plate by backing it with loads of elbow grease, promotional efforts, and full creative support. When FLI says they are behind their clients, they f***ing mean it.
Though this project is obviously quite dear to my own heart, the endeavor wouldn’t be worthwhile unless I could create something that will speak to all who have lost to illness. In that spirit, I’d like to open up submissions to the greater literary community, inviting all who are interested to lend their voices.
If you’re interested, please send your poems (sorry, but I’m not considering prose for this project) and a brief bio to tanya@tanyachernov.com by November 1st. If a poem has appeared elsewhere and you retain current publication rights, please include those details so we can cite accordingly.
I suppose that when I first set out to be a writer, my dream was indeed as simple as to just be published. To that end, I’ve seen my wishes come true. But now my goals have evolved and grown, and I’m no longer satisfied by having my name in print or my book on the shelves. The only thing that quenches my thirst is to continue working, to keep writing.
It all comes down to the question of action: do it or don’t do it. Remain quiet or speak up. Walk on by once I’ve found the healing I need, or stop and lend a hand to those still in need of a little help.
-Tanya Chernov
