Open Call

In connection with the Editorial Fellowship program at A Public Space, we are pleased to announce an open call for a special portfolio in the magazine to be edited by Miguel Coronado.

Call for Poetry Submissions

What does it mean to write "between" or "across" countries? In my own experience, immigrating from the Dominican Republic to the United States, being "Dominican American" has been an unavoidably nebulous experience. It's meant living within an implied conjunction, simultaneously belonging to one country that exists perpetually in memory and another that promises, for better or worse, a future.

Between July 23 and August 15, I am looking for poetry by emerging writers who identify as first-generation immigrants and are interested in what it means to write within the conjunction of a multicultural identity. How do you navigate the abyss of distance that gets formed between the places to which your body, memory, and heritage belong? I would like to read poems that may not belong "anywhere," estranged from easy geopolitical labels, but also belong "everywhere," in the way that any great poem should. I'm open to any interpretations of this prompt, as close or as tangential as you see fit.

Please note that for the purpose of this open call, "first-generation immigrant" encompasses both people born in another country who relocated, and residents of a country whose parents were born elsewhere. International and multilingual submissions are welcome, with emerging first-generation writers residing in any country being eligible, provided that English is the primary language being used.

Best,
Miguel Coronado
Editorial Fellow

Submission Requirements: Writers must identify as first-generation immigrants, including both people born in another country who relocated, and residents of a country whose parents were born elsewhere. Only previously unpublished poems are eligible. International submissions are welcome. Multilingual submissions are welcome, provided that English is the primary language used. Writers whose work is published in the magazine will receive an honorarium.

Timeline: Submittable will be open for submissions from July 23 – August 15. Submissions will close at 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on August 15, 2021. Submitters will be informed no later than August 31, 2021.

Procedure: Only electronic submissions will be considered. Work must be submitted through the Special Call category in Submittable. There is no submission fee. Please submit the following:

— A cover letter, including a one-paragraph biographical statement, and one paragraph describing a poem or book of poetry you’ve read that you felt gave you “permission” to write more freely or more like yourself; how did their work inspire you?
— Up to five (5) previously unpublished poems.
— Only poets who have not yet published a book or been contracted to write a book-length work in English are eligible.
— Simultaneous submissions are allowed.

Note that we only accept PDF or Word files (.doc and .docx). The cover letter and manuscript should be submitted as separate files. Incomplete submissions or submissions that do not address this call will not be considered and will be returned unread.

**Details about the next general submission period will be announced on the website in the fall.**