Community Arts Partnership invites residents in any part of Northern Ireland to submit poems that demonstrate some notion of “still”
Not moving?
Deep silence and calm?
The capturing of a moment?
Even now?
Nevertheless?
Equipment for the distillation of liquids?
‘Still’ will continue to build on the work undertaken by Community Arts Partnership in the Poetry in Motion Programmes which have showcased new writing talent alongside more established names in the world of poetry and spoken word. Previous contributors to the programmes include the late Seamus Heaney, Sinead Morrissey, Meadbh McGuckian, Ben Maeir, Ann Zell, Ruth Carr, Deirdre Cartmill and Paul Maddern.
Chelley McLear, Poetry in Motion Co-ordinator said:
We are delighted to be embarking upon our third regional project. Earlier this year poets from all across Northern Ireland came together to launch “Moment”, our second regional anthology. The enthusiasm shown for that project, and the diversity and quality of submissions received, confirmed that there is a wealth of (often untapped) talent in our corner of the world. We anticipate that submissions this year will be equally as exciting. Submissions are welcome from anyone living in Northern Ireland and we are keen to discover new poetic voices.
Conor Shields, Director of Community Arts Partnership said:
The aim of any of our programmes is to help people find or re-discover their own creative force. Poetry in Motion Community consistently offers a platform for new writing, whether through facilitation or via publication in the anthology. By entitling this year’s project as “Still”, we are not prescribing a theme, but allowing for a range of possibilities to be represented, from the personal to the universal, from forces that shape to situations that prevail, from movement to stillness. We hope that such a space to reflect will allow poets, new and established, to share their work.
This anthology is dedicated to supporting new writing only. Poems previously published must not be submitted.
Poems should be not more than forty lines long (including line breaks). Submissions can be made by email or in hard copy but must be typed, accompanied by your name, address, phone number and email address and a statement that verifies the poem has not been published elsewhere. Community Arts Partnership is not able to provide individual feedback on any submission.
Make your submission stand out:
Think beyond the word ‘still’
Avoid over-exposition, clichés and too many abstract nouns
Above all, be original!
Submissions should be sent to submissions@comartspartner.org or addressed to Chelley McLear, Poetry in Motion Co-ordinator, Community Arts Partnership, 3-5 Commercial Court, Belfast BT1 2NB.
Open submissions must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 16th October.
