Call for Entries: A Memoir Reading

I love readings. In fact, I love them so much that I am curating one in December, 2011, as part of a year-long project at the place at which I teach. Here’s the call for entries. I do hope you’ll apply.

The Memoir Project, a program of The Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy, NY, invites submissions for Bookmarks, a series of group readings featuring writing that is grounded broadly in personal experience. Experienced writers as well as those whose work has not previously been read publicly, or published are encouraged to submit work.

Each scheduled reading will be curated by a member of the Arts Center’s Literary Committee.  Details about the submission criteria and schedule for each curator are listed below.  New this year, rather than a single deadline, each individual reading has a separate submission date.

Works will be evaluated “blindly” on literary excellence and relevance to the broader Memoir Project theme (i.e. does the work mine the personal to express the universal?) as well as the individual requirements set by each curator.  Please submit no more than once to any individual curator. Works may be edited for length and for synergy with other readers.

Submission categories and deadlines are:

Special Young People’s Category new this year!

“Traditions”

Curated by Tammy Robinson, Skribbler’s Magazine www.skribblersmagazine.com

Students aged 9 to 12 are invited to submit works of poetry or prose on the theme of traditions.  Entries should not exceed 500 words and are subject to editing by the curator.

Reading, November 16^th, 2011

Deadline, October 15^th, 2011

“Creative Endeavors: Being Terrified and Doing It Anyway”

Curated by Kathryn Allen

Works of prose, no longer than 1,500 words.

Reading, November 21st, 7pm

Deadline, October 10^th

“Family at the Holidays”

Curated by Marion Roach Smith

What more can we say but families and holidays? What a mix, right? Works of memoir, no longer than 750 words. 

Reading December 19^th, 2011, 7pm

Deadline, November 1^st, 2011

“Food”

Curated by Robyn Ringler

Submissions up to 1200 words of memoir in any of its forms–personal essay, poetry, letters, monologue, drama but it must be memoir and related to memories that involve food.

Reading, January 23^rd, 7pm

Deadline, December 1^st, 2011

“Circling the Dark; Choosing Light – Moments of Transformation”

Curated by Donna Miller

This evening’s reading will explore transformation. Our life stories are filled with moments of grief or insight and inspired by grace and joy. Take us along for the journey that transformed your life story. Poetry and prose are welcomed. Participants in last year’s Grace reading are cordially invited to return and new voices are especially encouraged to submit. Readings will be approximately 1,000 words each, but submissions may exceed this limitation.  When the theme and time constraints are established for the reading, your work can be edited for a perfect fit!

Reading, February 27^th, 7pm

Deadline, January 1^st, 2012

“Text as Art”

Curated by Nancy Klepsch

Submissions may include visual or multi-media works

Reading, March 19th, 7pm (and/or a visual display during the month of February)

Deadline, January 15^th , 2012

“I Did!”

Curated by Nancy Klepsch and Lauren Pinsley

Memoir about getting married with a special focus on same sex marriages.  Works should be no longer than 5 minutes.  (Up to three pieces may be submitted for consideration).

Reading, Monday, April 23rd 2012, 7pm

Deadline, March 1^st, 2012

Interested writers should submit a work sample as indicated and a resume/CV, both in PDF form to: Hans@artscenteronline.org

Please include the following text in the subject line:

Memoir Project: (name of theme for which you are submitting) (your name)

All submissions must be received by 5 p.m. on the date indicated (please see individual themes for deadline dates).

Bookmarks is a free program of the Arts Center of the Capital Region.  Please visit our website for details about readings and other literary programs at the Arts Center.  www.artscenteronline.org