Contemplate not only freedom, but what and who and how you were freed.
July is the month in which I think about freedom. I became free July 19th, 2006, when I visited a place I did not even know I had been missing since I was twelve years old, maybe since I was three--South Shropshire, United Kingdom.
One visit there and I was cured of every psychological malady my family and other elements of my past had lovingly laid upon my consciousness.
And so I invite you, whether you have traveled geographically or only in the spirit, in the mind, in the soul, to write a poem, story, prose poem, or personal essay about your liberation, about the force or place or person who plunged you into liberating yourself.
I am particularly interested in writing that shares how you came to liberation through the experience of a trial, tribulation, or through the overcoming of some hurdle--a hurdle of any form: emotional, psychological, familial, life circumstance or situation.
No formal academic writing accepted.
The grand prize is plain and simple: recognition that you are now free. The first prize is $100 and a copy of my first novel, The Journey. The second prize is $75 and a copy of my first book of poetry, Steven. Third prize is $50 and a free paperback of your choice from my Lulu.com storefront.
If a minimum of 25 submissions, or more, are received, I will increase the prize money awarded in each category proportionally. The book portions of each prize will remain the same.
Previously published work is welcome as long as the writer submitting retains all rights.
Please send your work as an attachment in pdf format. Do not send .doc, .docx, or any format other than simple pdf.
Poetry submissions must be no longer than 9 pages, single-spaced, each page equivalent to one side of an 8 1/2 x 11 inch page, size 12 font. Please use Palatino Linotype or Times New Roman as your font.
Please put your name, address, and email address on each page of your submission, in the upper right-hand corner with your page numbers (in other words, create a header).
Prose must be no longer than 15 pages, 1.5 line spacing, one side of an 8 1/2 x 11 inch page, size 12 font. Use Palatino Linotype or Times New Roman, size 12 font, and put your name, address, and email address in the upper right-hand corner with your page numbers as instructed above.
Entry fee for each submission is $17.76 via Paypal. Once your submission appears in my inbox, I will send you a Paypal invoice.
Upon payment of the invoice, which is due upon receipt, your work will be archived for review. If the invoice is not paid within three days of receipt of your submission, your email will be deleted and not archived for review.
Please email all submissions to niama.drniamawilliams.com and put "1776 SUBMISSION FROM [Your full name]" in the subject line. Submissions will not be accepted via snail mail, fax, or through any other medium.
Submissions attempted through any other medium will be destroyed unread. Please, no phone calls; email first if you have any questions.
EMAIL SUBMISSIONS to: niama.drniamawilliams.com.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: AUGUST 31st, 2014.
Good luck and many, many blessings.
A quote from Toni Cade’s novel, The Salt Eaters:
What came to Campbell, leaning over the typewriter stand in the pressroom then just as he leaned over the grill deep in thought now, was a flash in the brain pan, and he knew he’d struck gold. Knew in a glowing moment that all the systems were the same at the base—voodoo, thermodynamics, I Ching, astrology, numerology, alchemy, metaphysics, everybody’s ancient myths—they were interchangeable, not at all separate much less conflicting. They were the same, to the extent that their origins survived detractors and perverters. How simple universal knowledge is after all, he grinned.
When two men hit the reset button and decide to go out looking for the good in the world, they not only find it but also a lot more.
P.S. The title is listed on Amazon under Look for Something Good by Robert Drews (not by Robert H. Drews)
When two men hit the reset button and decide to go out looking for the good in the world, they not only find it but also a lot more.
P.S. The title is listed on Amazon under Look for Something Good by Robert Drews (not by Robert H. Drews)
Share
Save
