Writers Helping Joplin Tornado Victims

Unless you've been living in a cave, you know about the total devastation our neighbors in Joplin experienced via a massive F-5 tornado in May. Many volunteers are helping in a variety of ways. Personally, I can't wait to go there and help however I can, donate clothes and shoes (when families have a home to put them in), give cash and more.

In the meantime, here's a way that writers can help! The Joplin Writers' Guild and the Missouri Writers' Guild are putting together a Storm Country Anthology containing short stories and poems. NOTE: Participating writers must be from the Midwest.

Writers may submit a short story or essay about any type of Midwestern storm. Fiction, non-fiction or poetry is accepted. Proceeds from the book sales will go to the Joplin school system to buy books for the libraries damaged by the tornado.

Submission guidelines:

Your story should include storms and severe weather in the Midwest, including tornadoes, floods, snow, ice, and wind.

Must be an original work of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry

Maximum of three submissions per author/poet

Fiction - Any genre up to 1,500 words

Poetry - Up to 30 lines per poem

Nonfiction - Features, essays, memoirs up to 1,500 words

Deadline: July 15, 2011

Submit your typed Word document in 12-point Times New Roman and include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address on the first page of each submission.

For prose, use a three-space paragraph indention and a double-spaced manuscript. For poetry, submit a single-spaced manuscript.

Note: Number the pages and proofread carefully. Author retains all rights.
Include a third-person author bio (75 words max) and e-mail to joplinwritersguild@yahoo.com or snail mail to: Claudia Mundell,
1815 River Street, Carthage, Missouri 64836

Questions? Please e-mail joplinwritersguild@yahoo.com