Our neighbors (and a few members and friends of Ozarks Romance Authors) in Joplin, Missouri, were hit by an EF-5 tornado on May 22, 2011.
We are thankful to report that none of the members of our writers' group lost homes, businesses, or their lives. However, a dear friend of ORA, who recently spoke to us, lost her home. We send prayers for those who have lost so much.
If, by chance, you have not heard about the devastation, here is a story from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/24/us/24tornado.html
As writers, here is a small way that we can help.
The following information was shared on the web site of the Springfield Regional Arts Council. Since we are a member of the SRAC and because we support other writers' groups as much as we are able, we wanted to help spread the word regarding this call for submissions and how the funds raised will benefit Joplin.
On Sunday, May 22, 2011, a monster tornado hit the town of Joplin, Missouri, leaving a 6-mile path of destruction that has made this disaster one of the worst, if not the worst, in the state’s history.
Among the casualties were four of the schools in the Joplin School District, two of which lost roofs and a high school that is a total loss. We have partnered with the Joplin School District and are being kept apprised of their specific needs as they assess damage and begin the healing and rebuilding process.
To assist in the Joplin relief effort, the writers of the Joplin Writers' Guild, a chapter of the Missouri Writers’ Guild, plans to publish an anthology, Storm Country, with all proceeds from sales going toward rebuilding the school libraries damaged or destroyed by the tornado. In an attempt to re-establish a much-needed sense of normalcy within the devastated community, the Joplin School District plans to open school on the regularly-scheduled date of August 17, 2011.
Please help us to help them by submitting your writing to the anthology and purchasing Storm Country when it is published.
Thank you for your support of this effort.
Claudia Mundell, President, Joplin Writers' Guild Deborah Marshall, President, Missouri Writers’ Guild
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Joplin (Missouri) Writers’ Guild, in coordination with the Missouri Writers’ Guild, is seeking fiction, non-fiction and poetry to be included in an anthology, Storm Country, to be published near the end of the summer. All proceeds from book sales will go to the purchase of books for school libraries damaged or destroyed by the May 22, 2011, tornado. Midwest writers are encouraged to submit their original work June 1, 2011 through July 15, 2011. Submit work with the theme of storms and severe weather in the Midwest. All forms of stormy weather should be considered: ice, floods, tornadoes, wind, and snow. Include name, address, phone number, and email address on first page of submission.
Poetry of any form and up to 30 lines may be submitted. A maximum of THREE poems from any author will be considered.
Short fiction in any genre, 1,500 words or less, will be considered.
Nonfiction (features, essays, memoirs, etc.) of 1,500 words or fewer may also be submitted. A maximum of three pieces of prose will be accepted per author.
All submissions must be typed in 12-point Times New Roman. Prose should use three-space paragraph indention and double-spacing. Poetry should be single-spaced. Pages should be numbered. Spelling and grammar must be as the author intends. Author retains all rights. Please include third-person author bios up to 75 words.
Submit your Word documents by July 15, 2011, to joplinwritersguild@yahoo.com or mail to:
Claudia Mundell 1815 River Street Carthage, MO 64836