CALL FOR SUBMISSION: ISSUE II, BLACK METAPHOR

In furtherance of our first issue, we are announcing our second issue, themed “Black Metaphor.” Bearing some similarity to the first, Black Metaphor i

In furtherance of our first issue, we are announcing our second issue, themed “Black Metaphor.” Bearing some similarity to the first, Black Metaphor is intended to explore a central, positive perspective of the African experience.

The issue, primarily focused on creative writing, is aimed at projecting nostalgic, reflective writers’ relative experiences, ideas, beliefs while spotlighting them through featured pieces and powerful, interactive interviews within the space. This will also be complemented by a limited selection of pictorial works to provide a visual dimension to the issue.

We believe there's a deep commonality that is imbued in African interactions which are reflected through our communications, appearances, beliefs and ways of life. Choosing the theme, we bear on the palette of our minds the question, “what is Africa without the demeaning dent of colonialism in the narrative?”

 

Theme: 

“Black Metaphors refers to the use of metaphor as a way of expressing African realities from within drawing on culture, memory, and lived experience rather than inherited or external narratives. It positions “Black” not just as an identity, but as a source of meaning, depth, and perspective.”

The centrality of the theme is to encapsulate something quite hopeful, resonating and a sharp deviation from the usual gloomy, trauma, negative, colonialism-filled perspective and narrative about Africa. It presents a natural, unforced, positive, grounded perspective about Africa’s culture, religions, beliefs, and heritage, while reflecting the coexistence of past and present. The LEGACY.

As such, we invites ingenious narratives and conversations that explore these African elements. 

Category: Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Article/Review, Photograph and Artworks 

Eligibility:

Open to all writers, artists and photographers.

Submission Guidelines:

• Entries must be original, unpublished works.
• Multiple entries and simultaneous submission are not allowed
• Submissions must be in English 
• Submissions must be sent directly to pawnerspaper@gmail.com
• The subject must state the "Title of the work" "Category of work" and “Issue” E.g "Black Metaphor, (Poetry, Issue 2)"
• Your work must be sent as an attachment with a short bio detailing your full name and the title of your work in the body of the mail
• For the photography and visual art category, a short artist statement should be sent along with the work.
• All written works must be submitted in Word Format using 12pt Times New Roman, double-spaced. For photographs and artworks, send a high resolution picture of the work.

Word Count:

Poetry: Maximum of 20 lines per poem; 1 poem per entrant.

Short Stories: 1,000-2,000 words.

Reviews & Essays: 1,000- 2,000 words.

Flash Fiction: 300-1000 words 

Submission Period:

April 13-May 1

Note: The authors of submitted works still retain the exclusive copyright to their works. Also, the works selected for publication are not paid for.