SUBMISSIONS
Call for Contributors: “White Kites Over Gaza: Woven Tales on Palestine.”
An Edited Volume of Essays, Poetry, and Art
Special Issue of The North Meridian Review: A Journal of Culture and Scholarship
Palestinian artistic expression— historically rich and varied— transcends the confines of political discourse, reflecting the deep connection of a people to their land, history, and identity. From early works on displacement and belonging to contemporary manifestations on resilience and resistance, Palestinian art and literature chronicle a journey of personal and collective experiences. “White Kites Over Gaza” seeks to highlight this continuum, showcasing works that explore the multifaceted Palestinian experience.
This volume draws inspiration from “If I Must Die,” a poem by Refaat Alareer, that became more poignant following his tragic death from an Israeli airstrike. Refaat Alareer, a prominent Palestinian poet, educator, and avid storyteller, was a voice of his generation. Born in the besieged city of Gaza in 1979, his life and work were shaped by the harsh realities of living under occupation. His dedication to using literature and storytelling as tools of resistance came to life when he co-founded “We are Not Numbers,” an initiative to empower young writers in Gaza, amplify their voices, and harness the power of their narratives.
In his poem, written shortly before his untimely passing, Alareer envisions a white kite as a symbol of hope and remembrance. He urged those who come after him to embrace hope, to persist in the quest for justice, and to hold onto the belief that the Palestinian people will one day find peace in their homeland. “White Kites Over Gaza” invites contributions that weave together diverse narratives of Palestinian experiences, from struggle and resilience to hope and the unyielding pursuit of freedom. Our goal is to assemble a mosaic of voices that not only tells the story of a land and its people but also shares tales that resonate with universal experiences of love, loss, and the enduring human spirit. We welcome diverse perspectives that reflect on these themes and enrich the understanding of Palestinian life and culture.
**This volume is open to all writers, although Palestinian authors will be given special consideration.
Submission Guidelines:
Essays: 5,000-7,000 words. Both scholarly analyses and personal narratives that delve into relevant topics. Send as single attached word document.
Poetry: No more than three pages of poetry. Works that echo the emotional and thematic depth of the Palestinian experience. Send as single attached word document.
Art: No more than five images. Visual art pieces that encapsulate the spirit of hope and the complexity of the Palestinian journey. Send as attached JPEG.
Original, unpublished works only. Published materials from personal social media accounts is fine.
Include a brief bio (100-200 words) and a statement relating your work to the theme.
Include as an attached word document a short, two page CV.
North Meridian Press is an inclusive publisher of humanities art and scholarship. We do not tolerate any form of bigotry. Pieces that are Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, Zionist, or which engage in hate speech will not be considered.
Submission Deadline:
December 1, 2024.
How to Submit:
Send your works and requested materials to whitekites2024@gmail.com with the subject line, “Submission: White Kites Over Gaza.”
Call for Submissions Annual Issue
The North Meridian Review: A Journal of Culture and Scholarship is open to submissions. Each issue the journal will publish four sections: a peer-reviewed, scholarly collection of articles; a creative non-fiction, and fiction, prose section; a selection of poetry; and academic and literary book reviews.
When submitting to NMR please follow the below guidelines:
Peer-review Scholarship: OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS.
All peer-reviewed scholarship goes through a double-blind review. Authors receive either— Accept, Accept With Revisions, Revise and Resubmit, Reject. The editorial team of NMR is particularly interested in working with emerging scholars to help with revisions to get the piece ready for publication.
Articles should be between 5,000-10,000 words. Scholars interested in submitting should send their articles as an attached word document to wrbishop@jsu.edu with the subject line “NMR Article Submission” followed by the category of the piece (history, literature, etc.). Also, include a two-page CV and short (150-200 words) abstract. All articles should adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.).
Prose: CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR SUBMISSIONS.
The editors strongly encourage submissions for the prose section. Specifically, NMR is interested in the genres of memoir, critical essay, interviews, creative non-fiction, and short fiction. Submissions should be sent to wrbishop@jsu.edu as an attached Word document. Submissions should be 1,000-5,000 words. Authors should include a brief biography (150-200 words) in the body of the email.
Poetry: CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR SUBMISSIONS.
Book Reviews: OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS.
The North Meridian Review is seeking applicants for book reviews. If you are interested in writing a review of a recent book in the field of the humanities please email a two-page CV and in the body of the email list the fields you are interested in reviewing and possible titles. If you are a publisher, especially of a small regional press, and would like your books reviewed please email the managing editor Wesley Bishop at wrbishop@jus.edu and the book review editor Alzbeta Hajkova at ahajkova3@gatech.edu to submit your titles for review.