High Rise: Brutalist Poetry Submission Call – Explore Raw Honesty and Refined Realism in Our Upcoming Anthology

Submission Call: High Rise: Brutalist Poetry

The Broken Spine is proud to announce a unique opportunity for poets to contribute to High Rise: Brutalist Poetry, a slimline anthology that promises to blend the raw, unfiltered essence of Brutalism with the emotional depth and honesty of art brut. Inspired by the architectural starkness of ‘beton brut’ and the visceral expressiveness championed by notable figures such as Charles Bukowski, Sylvia Plath, and Anne Sexton, this collection seeks to explore the profound realities of the human condition through poetry that is both honest and intricately crafted.

In literature, Brutalism can be seen as an approach that mirrors the architectural style’s starkness, rawness, and focus on unembellished reality. Brutalist literature often features:

• Stripped-down language: Just as Brutalist architecture emphasises raw materials, Brutalist literature may use a minimalist style, avoiding ornate language and focusing on straightforward, often blunt, prose. This mirrors the unadorned concrete and geometric forms of Brutalist buildings.
• Themes of alienation and existentialism: Much like Brutalist structures that can evoke a sense of isolation or alienation, literature influenced by this style often explores themes of existential despair, urban isolation, and the harsh realities of modern life. 
• Structural experimentation: Similar to how Brutalist architecture exposes structural elements, Brutalist literature might experiment with narrative structure, revealing the ‘bones’ of storytelling—perhaps through fragmented narratives or unconventional plot structures, which serve to underscore the underlying themes of the work.

What We’re Looking For:

– Raw Emotional Honesty: Poems that bare the soul, echoing the brutalist ethos of transparency and the raw expressiveness of art brut. Work that is stark, and unembellished in style that captures the bleakness of the human condition.

– Depth and Complexity: We value nuanced insights articulated through intelligent imagery and metaphor, inviting readers to discover beauty in the stark and overlooked aspects of life.

– Innovative Form and Language: Submissions should strive for originality in structure and diction, steering clear of pretentiousness unless it enhances the reading experience, reflecting the innovative spirit of Brutalism and art brut. 

Submission Guidelines:

– Format and Style: Up to three poems in Times New Roman, 12-point font, single-spaced. We appreciate works that challenge conventional aesthetics while maintaining clarity and impact. Avoid overly pretentious form unless it contributes meaningfully to the poem.

– Submission Fee: A nominal fee of £3 per submission aids our mission to promote and support distinctive voices in poetry. Pay here.

– How to Submit: Combine your poems into a single Word document and submit via our dedicated Google Form.

Submit Here!

Submission Window Details:

– The submission window for High Rise: Brutalist Poetry is set for November 2024. Please note, this call for submissions will be advertised in advance, but submissions will only be accepted during November 2024. Responses will come as soon as possible after the closing of this window.

Through High Rise: Brutalist Poetry, The Broken Spine seeks to curate a collection that resonates with the authenticity, starkness, and realism that both Brutalism and art brut represent. This anthology aims to redefine the boundaries of contemporary poetry by showcasing works that are not only profoundly honest and raw but also demonstrate a refined aesthetic sensibility. We invite you to share your voice in this compelling exploration of the raw and the refined, contributing to a volume that promises to leave a lasting impact on the literary landscape.

‘If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start.’ – Charles Bukowski

Submit Here!