Calls for Submissions

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Comment by Wayne Crawford on August 9, 2008 at 3:38pm

I'm looking for concise poetry for the October issue of Lunarosity, an online literary journal since 2001. At www.zianet.com/lunarosity/ Thanks

Comment by Kathie B. on July 30, 2008 at 11:26am

Contact Kathie Bergquist
pressgirl@ameritech.net

Call for Talent
Women & Children First Bookstore in Chicago
NOW BOOKING SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER

Is looking for provocative lesbian-identified queer artists and scholars to present their work at our new, monthly Sappho’s Salon series. We’re looking for poets, writers, spoken word artists, comedians, visual artists with slides who can talk about their work, queer academics with provocative lectures, queer burlesque performers, musicians, performance artists, filmmakers and / or others we haven’t thought of. Sappho’s Salon will occur from 7:30 to 9:30 on the third Saturday of every month. Touring artists: let us know if a Sappho’s Salon will coincide with your travels through the Chicago area. Pay based on at-the-door donations and pass-the-hat (no guarantees), and permission to sell your swag. If you are interested in performing, contact Kathie B. at Pressgirl at Ameritech dot net (with attachments or links if relevant). Send demo CDs and DVDs to Kathie (Sappho’s Salon) c/o Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60640. No phone calls. Please include artist bio, including past publications, shows, performances, accomplishments and so on.
For more info about Sappho’s Salon: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=106501752&blogID=400296581

Upcoming Dates:
Saturday, June 21st – Jolie du Pre, Carrie Lydon & Kate Rickenbocker, DJ SpinNikki
Saturday, July 19 – Cameron Esposito, Tamale, DJ SpinNikki
Saturday, August 16 – Fiona Zedde, Andrea Askowitz, guest host Jolie du Pre
Saturday, September 20 – Congress of Starlings (room for one more)
Saturday, October 18 – JT Newman (room for one more)
Saturday, November 15 -- open
Saturday, Dec. 20 (Solstice party) open

Women and Children First is one of the nation’s oldest and largest feminist bookstores. Our acclaimed reading series has included such lesbian/bi/queer provocateurs as:
Sister Spit: The Next Generation (2X, including Michelle Tea, Ali Leibegott, Eileen Myles, Cristy Roads, and more), Alison Bechdel, Achy Obejas, Dorothy Allison, Mattilda, Chrystos, Jennifer Baumgardner, Hillary Carlip, Mattilda, Anne Elizabeth Moore, Minnie Bruce Pratt, Inga Muscio, Alix Olson, Rebecca Walker, and many, many more. Visit us on the web at www.womenandchildrenfirst.com, or on MySpace at www.Myspace.com/womenandkids.


What is Sappho's Salon?
( Chicago ) In June 2008, Women & Children First Bookstore launched the first of a monthly series called “Sappho’s Salon: A Night of Provocative Lesbian Diversions.” The event included provocative readings by Jolie du Pre (Iridescence), Kathie Bergquist (A Field Guide to Gay and Lesbian Chicago), live music by Carrie Lydon and Kate Rickenbacker, and a DJ set by DJ SpinNikki.

Bookstore staffer Kathie Bergquist curates the monthly salon. Bergquist is co-author of A Field Guide to Gay and Lesbian Chicago. She has been a featured reader at SmartMouth, Homolatte, and Reading Under the Influence, and her writing has appeared in Girlfriends Magazine, The Advocate, OUT, and The Chicago Reader. Here she responds to a Q&A about this latest venture.

Q: The title of the salon includes the word “provocative.” What do you mean by that?

A: We want this salon to get women thinking and talking. We want to challenge their assumptions, maybe even make them a little bit uncomfortable.

Q: Why is Women & Children First doing this?

A: We find that lesbian women do not have enough opportunities to socialize in person with each other outside of bar culture. Traditionally, women’s bookstores have functioned as more than commercial endeavors – they’ve played an active role in lesbian community building. We want to revive this tradition. Plus, we just think it will be fun.

Q: You are requesting a $7-$10 sliding-fee donation – what’s up with that?

A: Unlike most of our events, Sappho’s Salon will not necessarily be tied into book sales. The money, which is only a suggested donation, will go onto our not-for-profit Women’s Voices Fund, which funds programming endeavors such as Sappho’s Salon, making it possible for us to host programs without financial considerations. Plus, if possible, we’d like to kick back some money to the performers. We provide snacks, drinks, and entertainment, so all-in-all we still think it’s a pretty cheap night out; cheaper than a movie with popcorn, for example.

Q: The bill for the first salon includes quite a variety of entertainment. Will it always be a variety show?

A: Not necessarily. We’re open to everything and want to mix it up. Occasionally, we might have one speaker or performer for the whole event, particularly if it is a touring performer. Sometimes we may have panel discussions on controversial subjects within the lesbian community, like debates. We also can see game nights, such as trivia nights, or lesbian speed dating events. We feel we are wide open to every option (as long as it’s provocative, of course!).

Q: Who is Sappho’s Salon for?

A: It’s for lesbian-identified women (past, present, and future women) and their friends. We accept people’s self-definitions, and will not be checking orientations at the door. We just hope that folks will respect the intention of our salon, and realize that there is a need for lesbian spaces in our culture. Sappho’s Salon is a lesbian space, but it is an open and inclusive lesbian space.

Q: Wow, that sounds like so much fun. I can hardly wait. And might I add that you are looking exceptionally attractive lately. Have you been working out?

A: Oh, stop. You’re too much.

UPDATE!!!
The first Sappho's Salon was a huge success! The house was filled to capacity, the performances were amazing, the wine was flowing, several women got lucky and and a great time was had by all!

www.womenandchildrenfirst.com
5233 N. Clark St.
Chicago
773-769-9299

Comment by Theresa on July 25, 2008 at 5:29am

Call for submissions:

Chroma, the queer literary journal, is currently calling for submissions for our 2nd international writing competition. Short fiction, poetry and flash fiction categories. Prize money £1,500. Check out the details at www.chromajournal.co.uk

We're also always looking for submissions for upcoming issues, including art work and photography. Again, check out our website for further details.

Thanks! x

Comment by SJ Powers on July 3, 2008 at 6:55pm

Call for Submissions: Fiction Contest hosted by SWELL zine and Chicago's Newtown Writers. Stories to 5000 words. Small reading fee of $8.00. Cash prizes. Winners and finalists published in Swell and in NTW's print publication Off the Rocks. All submissions considered for Off the Rocks. Submit by September 30th at www.newtownwriters.org