Submission Call: After Hours – Infusing Today’s Poetry with the Beat Spirit
The Broken Spine cordially invites poets to contribute to our inaugural edition in a series of 12 slimline collections, titled After Hours: Beat Culture Made New. This initiative aims to blend the timelaess spirit of the 1950s Beat Generation with the dynamic essence of contemporary life. Our intention goes beyond mere replication of the past; we aspire to inspire poets to interpret and comment on the modern world through the Beat ethos.
A Creative Challenge to Poets:
We are seeking submissions that embody the ethos and spirit of the Beat Generation’s iconic scene. This period was distinguished by its embrace of rebellion, the allure of smoky jazz clubs, and the seminal artwork of the era. However, your contributions should go beyond simple homage. We are in search of poetry that melds the stylistic nuances and thematic concerns of the Beats into pieces that are unmistakably your own, addressing contemporary subjects through a Beat-inspired lens.
Guidance on Experimental Formats:
While the Beat Generation is renowned for its innovative and boundary-defying literature, we urge poets to approach experimental formats with judicious consideration. Creativity that bolsters the poem’s impact, clarity, or thematic depth is welcome. However, experimentation for the sake of experimentation may not be viewed favourably. Our goal is to cultivate poetry that captures the Beat spirit, where each stylistic decision enhances the work’s narrative or themes.
Simultaneous Submissions Policy:
Recognising the competitive nature of the literary landscape, we accept simultaneous submissions. Transparency is paramount; please notify us at your earliest convenience if your work is accepted elsewhere, enabling us to manage our selection process efficiently.
Narrative and Prose Poetry:
We harbour a particular affection for narrative / prose / free-verse poetry that encapsulates the stylistic flourishes and sensibilities of the 1950s Beat scene. We encourage submissions that not only engage with the outlined themes and motifs but also capture the period’s unique narrative vigour and poetic experimentation.
Cultural Touchstones for Inspiration:
To enrich your submissions, consider these cultural touchstones reflective of the broader Beat Generation context:
– Civil Rights Movement: Delve into themes of justice and equality, considering the nascent stirrings of activism and social consciousness that preceded the sixties.
– The Art and Jazz of the Beat Era: Be inspired by the improvisational energy of jazz music and the era’s influential art, pondering how these mediums intersected with Beat poetry.
– Beat Literature and Philosophy: Engage with the works and ideas of Beat figures beyond the iconic names, exploring the movement’s depth and diversity.
– Existentialism and Post-War Thought: Reflect on the influence of post-war existentialism on Beat philosophy, with themes of alienation, freedom, and the search for meaning.
– Early Environmentalism: Connect with the early environmental consciousness of the era, examining the critique of industrialisation and a rekindled connection to nature.
– Exploration of Eastern Philosophies: The Beat fascination with Eastern philosophies offers a rich source of inspiration, highlighting a quest for spiritual depth in a materialistic society.
Submission Guidelines:
– Format and Style: Please format your submissions in Times New Roman, single-spaced, avoiding excessive stylisation (of form). Poets may submit up to two poems.
– Submission Fee: A modest fee of £3 is kindly requested to help cover design expenses. As an independent entity without the support of major benefactors or substantial funding, our resources are limited, but our commitment to quality and the arts remains unwavering. Pay here.
– How to Submit: Compile your poems into a single Word document and submit via our designated Google Form, inclusive of the submission fee process.
Deadline and Review Process:
Submissions must be received by 21.04.24. Poets whose works are selected will be notified by as soon as possible thereafter, with feedback provided for chosen submissions.
Reimagining Beat for the Modern Poet:
In After Hours, we aim to foster a collection of voices that, inspired by the Beat ethos, dissect, critique, and shed light on the intricacies of contemporary life. We seek poetry that, whilst nodding to the past, carves out new insights and experiences. Your contributions should actively engage with today’s world through a Beat-infused perspective, resonating with both the echoes of history and the cadence of the present.
We eagerly anticipate your innovative contributions that reinterpret the spirit of the Beat Generation for a new audience, offering fresh narratives and insights for today’s readers.
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The Broken Spine is a poetry and arts collective proudly published on the coastal edge of North-West England. Founded in 2019 by Alan Parry and Paul Robert Mullen – two school friends reunited after twenty years through a mutual love of poetry.
