I've only recently learned about this project, an anthology of short stories to be published by Flame in 2005. The deadline is officially 15th October this year, but I've heard that it may be stretched a little. Read the information on the website - the aims and guidelines sound daunting, but for those of you who like to stretch your intellect it's an opportunity to be published alongside the best writers of challenging fiction. Here's a brief extract from the home page and a link to the website:

Our aim is to publish a collection of stories linked by the common themes underpinning the work of PEN in general and the Sierra Leone PEN efforts in particular. We are seeking submissions that demonstrate the power of creativity and writing when given full rein. And, conversely, what happens when it is stifled, or forced into certain confines - be these cultural, social, lingual or narrative.

We are currently accepting submissions for the book, which will be published in the Spring of 2005. We would also like this website to be a central source of information on Sierra Leone, so if you know of any related articles or websites then please let us know!

Book of Voices





<Added>

Sorry, that link doesn't work, try this one:

http://www.bookofvoices.org

thanks Nell - it's a very weird set of themes, don't you think?

Jardinery, I agree, and although I read the content on the whole website I found it very dificult to work out what sort of work they want. I finally decided that the essence of it lies in the quote from above:

We are seeking submissions that demonstrate the power of creativity and writing when given full rein.

So I guess they're looking for challenging/highly original writing/content - something to knock their socks off. It's fairly late to enter - only a couple of weeks left, although I've been told the deadline may be extended. I thought there were perhaps a few writers here some of whose work might be suitable, so they wouldn't have to write a piece specially.