Editor: Nillin Lore
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Deadline: August 1st, 2022 [I will be choosing some pieces on a rolling basis, so early submissions encouraged.]
Payment: $75 and 1 copy of the book.
All pieces must be between 2,500 to 5,000 words.
Exploring the diverse narratives of those questioning, discovering, or well on their transition journeys, Emerging Selves is a vibrant collection of own-voices personal essays from trans, non-binary, and gender diverse authors. Offering intimate insight into the emerging self from first awakening to whole-hearted knowing and everything in between, Emerging Selves examines what it means to live your truth even when who you are and how you live disrupts the social construct of gender.
All authors should self-identify as trans, non-binary, genderqueer, or otherwise gender diverse. And all pieces should center experiences of discovering, exploring, accepting, and/or questioning one’s gender identity. I’d especially like to include more Two-Spirit, IndigiQueer, and racialized trans voices.
Please avoid submitting pieces that could be construed as promoting unsafe transition practices, and generally avoid providing any direct transition or medical advice. Your essay should focus on your individual experiences of self-realization and actualization in regards to your gender identity and/or expression, and not be treated as a guide or information piece.
Further, while I understand the complexities of our experiences, and that they are not always positive in a world that struggles to accept and understand who we are, please generally avoid any graphic descriptions of self-harm, abusive experiences, or bodily injury of any kind. I’d like this collection to exude trans joy, wonder, and positivity, rather than something that’s chock full of traumatic and triggering recollections.
That being said, content that makes people think about their preconceived beliefs and notions are always welcome!
If in doubt, be sure to include a content warning.
Overall, I’m looking for clever, playful, creative, introspective, emotional, and celebratory pieces brimming with your personality as a writer. The primary goal of this book is to instill hope and excitement in others as they explore their gender and themselves, while also putting forth diverse perspectives on queer identity and the trans experiences.
Think outside the box! Feel free to explore the intersectionality between your gender and other social experiences, talk about your mental health, explore your passions or hobbies through the lens of your identity (be that sports or tabletop gaming culture), unpack the complexities of community and culture in relation to yourself, or hell, give me an in depth deep dive into one of your most impactful, formative memories!
Be bold, be challenging, be radical, but most of all be yourself.
Please use standard book publishing formatting:
- Double space, indent .5 inch paragraphs, and do not skip lines between paragraphs (no html formatting),
- US Letter page (8.5×11 inches), 1 inch margins on all sides, 12 point Times New Roman,
- Do not use underlines or bold, instead use italics for any moments of emphasis,
- Do not use “Tabs” in the manuscript. Set your paragraph format to automatically indent on the first line,
- Use the “Enter” key to start a new paragraph. Do not use hard returns at the end of a line of text within a paragraph,
- Triple space scene breaks with *** centred in middle line,
- Do not use two spaces after a period,
- Please be sure that your document language is set to US English.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via email at [email protected].