The Caribbean Writer has issued a call for submissions for Volume 36 under the 2021 theme: “Disruption, Disguise and Illuminations.” More and more, as history meets day-to-day experiences, epiphanies unfold, and, as we self-interrogate the disruption motifs in many of these illuminations, the roots of prevailing disruptions emerge, complicated by disguise. Writers are invited to offer for consideration creative works exploring this theme in its widest permutations.
Contributors may submit works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays or one-act plays that explore the ideas resonating within the region and its diaspora. The Caribbean should be central to the work, or the work should reflect a Caribbean heritage, experience or perspective. Prospective authors should submit in Word format all creative works: drama, fiction and poetry manuscripts, through the online portal only at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org/online-submission. Note that TCW no longer accepts hardcopy submissions. https://www.thecaribbeanwriter.org/.
Individuals may submit poems (three maximum), short stories (two maximum) and personal essays (two maximum) on general topics as well as on the theme. The maximum length for short stories and personal essays is 3,500 words. Only previously unpublished work will be considered. The term “previously published” covers print and electronic publication – including on social media platforms and self-published items.
The Caribbean Writer does not accept simultaneous submissions (items being considered for publication elsewhere). The prospective author should provide contact information including mailing address, phone number, any professional affiliations and brief biographical information (no more than 100 words and such as appears under the “Contributors” section of the journal). In the event that the author’s contact information changes, all updates should be made by the author by logging into the online account.
Artists interested in having their artwork considered for use by TCW should submit electronic files in vertical format as png or jpeg files with a resolution of 300 dpi or greater. The journal also accepts black and white art (line drawings, sketches, block prints, etc.). The journal does not accept graphic poetry or narratives.
Before submitting, the writer should carefully edit and proofread the manuscript, adhering to publication-ready details, as well as standards of proofreading such as spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting and consistent language, along with the elimination of typographical errors, and with focus on the overall quality of the work.
The Caribbean Writer is a refereed journal. There are no fees payable to submit or publish in this journal. All submissions undergo an initial blind review by the editor. Creative works, such as fiction, poetry and drama, after editorial review, are advanced by the editor to the double-blind peer-review process. In this process, both the reviewers’ and authors’ identities are concealed from the reviewers and vice versa throughout the review process.
Submissions for Volume 36 are accepted from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 each year and are considered for the journal that will be published the following year. (In other words, Volume 36 will be published in 2022. The deadline for submissions each year is Dec. 31. Submit Word files at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org/online-submission.
Literary Prizes
All submissions are eligible for these annual prizes:
The Canute A. Brodhurst Prize of $600 awarded to a writer for best short fiction. Donated by the St. Croix Avis Newspaper.
The Daily News Prize of $500 awarded to a resident of the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands.
The Marvin E. Williams Literary Prize of $500 awarded to a new or emerging writer. Donated by Marvin’s widow, Dasil Williams, in honor of her late husband who served as the editor of The Caribbean Writer from 2003 – 2008.
The Cecile de Jongh Literary Prize of $500 awarded to a Caribbean author whose work best expresses the spirit of the Caribbean. Donated by former Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. in honor of Cecile de Jongh’s abiding commitment to literacy in the territory, especially among the young people of the Virgin Islands.
The Vincent Cooper Literary Prize of $300 awarded to a Caribbean author for exemplary writing in Caribbean Nation Language (Kamau Brathwaite). Donated by Professor Vincent Cooper, Ph.D.
For more information, contact The Caribbean Writer at thecaribbeanwriter@uvi.edu.
