Saturday, April 12, 2014

Call for Submissions on infertility and miscarriage (updated)

This is an update of a post that originally appeared here:

I'm editing a book for Kalos Press on infertility and miscarriage, and we're seeking submissions. If you're a Christian writer who has experienced either infertility or miscarriage, and are interested in submitting an essay for consideration, please see the call for submissions here.

And to give you an idea of where we're coming from editorially, here's a bit from the introduction-to-be:
This isn’t a book that offers solutions – there are plenty of experts for that. Nor is this a book that expounds theological explanations for pain and loss – that necessary job is already well done elsewhere.
What this book offers is simpler, and more primary: it offers companionship. No one loss is like any other, yet sharing our losses can offer, if not true solace, at least the comfort of knowing there is someone else there beside you in the dark, someone who understands. We hope that in sharing these stories you will gain the words and phrase to better frame, to better comprehend, to better share, your own story.
ETA: Deadline: Submissions are due by June 1, 2014.

Format: Each piece should be written as a personal essay of 1500-2500 words. While non-fiction, please use a narrative, story-telling style that draws the reader into the piece.

Further notes on format, from the Kalos website:
The book will be devotional/Christian Reflection in style and may be written in a first-person point of view. This project will address the topics from all stages: the early lost, confused, hurt parts; the boiling anger that comes; the moments of joy in the midst that surprise us; the exhaustion and apathy that some deal with; the redemptive work of God in and through impossibly hard times; etc.
We are also interested to see submitters address things they know now that they wish someone could have shared with them. Our goal is to provide a resource for people who are struggling; it won't necessarily make anyone feel better or always offer counsel/advice, but it could assuage some of the sense of isolation. We want to offer a literary companion to others on the sometimes-lonely path that these issues require.
If you're interested in submitting a piece to the project, please take a look at the link, and feel free to contact me with any questions.

Thanks!

Peace of Christ to you,
Jessica Snell

3 comments:

Rebecca Olson said...

I'm curious if there is a reason that these two topics are being lumped together. From my (granted, limited) experience, it seems like two rather different topics.

Michelle @ Liturgical Time said...

Your question is a reasonable one. As a woman with infertility though, I can say that through the years, I have found that I have a special place in my heart for women who have experienced miscarriage. Both experiences are the loss of hope for an anticipated future -- the loss of a dream.

Jessica Snell said...

Thanks for the question, Rebecca. I think Michelle answered it better than I could: they're both real types of loss that occur as people chase the same desire - that of having children. You are right that they are often dealt with separately. I don't know what kind of synchronicity will emerge by placing these types of stories side-by-side with each other, but I'm guessing there will be some.